US Senate Approves $95 Billion Aid Package for Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan

(Patria) - After months of wrangling, the US Senate has approved a $95 billion aid package for Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan, reports Index.

The bill includes $61 billion for Ukraine, $14 billion for Israel in its war against Hamas, and $4.83 billion to support partners in the Indo-Pacific, including Taiwan, and to deter Chinese aggression.

It would also provide $9.15 billion in humanitarian aid to civilians in Gaza and the West Bank, Ukraine, and other conflict zones around the world.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky immediately responded on social media, stating he is "grateful" to US senators.

I am grateful to @SenSchumer, @LeaderMcConnell, and every US Senator who has supported continued assistance to Ukraine as we fight for freedom, democracy, and the values we all hold dear.

For us in Ukraine, continued US assistance helps to save human lives from Russian terror.…

— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) February 13, 2024

This still does not mean these countries will receive US aid, as Republicans, who hold a majority in the House of Representatives, are expected to resist passing the aid package.

Namely, Republicans have already announced its rejection in its current form. And what preceded the vote on the aid?

Shortly after the last procedural hurdle in the Senate was removed, Republican opponents of the bill stalled its adoption by holding endless speeches.

Sufficient Support in the Senate

The passage of the bill in the Senate succeeded because Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell managed to secure the support of at least 17 Republican representatives, more than enough to surpass the 60-vote threshold needed for the bill to pass in the 100-seat chamber.

But both chambers of Congress must approve the bill before Democratic President Joe Biden can sign it.

The bill faces major uncertainties in the House of Representatives, where Republican Speaker Mike Johnson objected that the bill does not contain provisions to stop the record influx of migrants across the US-Mexico border.

- If the Senate does not adopt any border policy changes, the House will have to take its own measures on these important matters.

America deserves better than the Senate's status quo - Johnson said, who has previously suggested the House could split the bill into separate pieces of legislation.

Senator John Thune, the second-ranking Republican in the chamber, said it is unclear what Johnson will do.

- The House will, I assume, initiate something. Obviously, it will respond to Israel's needs - Thune said.

He claims Republicans predict the bill will completely fail when it reaches the House.

- The bill before us today will never pass the House, it will never become law - underscored Republican Senator Rick Scott of Florida during a night-long marathon at the Senate podium.

Republicans have for months demanded that the foreign aid bill include measures on US borders.

But a bipartisan border deal, negotiated for months, collapsed after Donald Trump, the party's leading candidate for the White House, called for its rejection.

BREAKING:

⚡ 🇺🇲In the overnight hours the US Senate has passed a $95 BILLION aid package for Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan

Speaker Mike Johnson is trying to kill the bill. He already did it once, he has the power to do it again.https://t.co/BDF18qvsMS pic.twitter.com/c4NDeb4EPQ

— Megatron (@Megatron_ron) February 13, 2024

What Does Trump Want?

Trump, who hopes to use the border issue to oust Biden from power in the November elections, criticized the foreign aid bill, saying on social media that aid to US allies should instead be in the form of loans.

Biden has for months been urging Congress to hurry with new aid for Ukraine and US partners in the Indo-Pacific, including Taiwan.

After Hamas's attack on Israel on October 7, he also requested funds for the US ally, along with humanitarian aid for Palestinians in Gaza.

Ukrainian officials have warned of a shortage of weapons at a time when Russia continues with new attacks.

But aid to Ukraine faces major troubles in the House of Representatives, where Trump's interests have greater influence among Republicans who control the chamber by a slim majority.