In a historic vote that took place early Tuesday morning, the Senate successfully passed a $95.3 billion foreign aid bill. This legislation includes crucial assistance for Ukraine, Israel and other U.S. allies. Speaker Mike Johnson has voiced his concerns and criticized certain aspects of the legislation, setting the stage for a potential showdown with the House.
After 22 Republicans joined Democrats to vote in favor, the bill passed 70 to 29.
The foreign aid package includes substantial funding to support Ukraine, ensuring its stability and progress. Additionally, significant security assistance has been allocated to bolster Israel’s defense capabilities. Furthermore, humanitarian aid has been earmarked for civilians in Gaza, the West Bank, and Ukraine.
However, it remains uncertain whether Johnson will bring the aid package to a vote. It is worth noting that a significant number of House Republicans are voicing their opposition to providing further assistance to Ukraine.
The charge incorporates $60 billion to bolster Ukraine in its battle against Russia, $14.1 billion in security help for Israel, $9.2 billion in compassionate help and $4.8 billion to bolster territorial accomplices within the Indo-Pacific locale in expansion to other approach arrangements, concurring to the Senate Apportionments Committee.
Ukrainian President’s Reaction
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky invited the news in a articulation Tuesday, expressing gratitude toward Schumer, McConnell and “every US Senator who has supported continued assistance to Ukraine as we fight for freedom, democracy, and the values we all hold dear.”
He also tweeted on X “The world is looking for American leadership to remain steadfast, help protect lives, and preserve freedom. This truly contributes to confidence and motivation.”
Johnson Opposes the Bill in the House
The Senate “should have gone back to the drawing board to amend the current bill to include real border security provisions that would actually help end the ongoing catastrophe,” Johnson said in a statement on Monday in response to the foreign aid package’s lack of border restrictions. Republicans had originally insisted that border security be included in the bill, but they later rejected the bipartisan border agreement in the face of vehement criticism from Trump and other House Republicans.
Trumps’ opinion on the Bill
Trump has incorporated his opposition to NATO into his campaign platform, and his “America First” stance has splintered Senate Republicans who disagree with the bill. Trump claimed at a rally on Saturday, to have informed the leader of a NATO nation that, due to their inadequate defense budget, he “would not protect” their nation in the event that Russia attacked. In fact, Trump claimed to have told the unnamed president, “I would encourage [Russia] to do whatever the hell they want.”
The aid package has been overshadowed by Trump’s presence in Congress, as some Republicans have repeated his opposition to delivering money to Ukraine and have now reneged on their demands for a border compromise after Trump expressed his disapproval of it.
Attempts are being made to bypass Johnson and approve the bill via a discharge petition led by Democrats. To introduce the petition, Democrats would need the signatures of four Republican supporters to secure funding for Ukraine; considering the congressional timetable, this would likely not happen until the end of the month.
The handling of the war in Gaza by Israeli government, where the majority of homes have been destroyed or damaged, over 12,300 children have been killed, and a quarter of the population is starving, according to the UN, has drawn criticism from certain Democrats, making its path through the House still difficult. To make up for the Democrats who would not vote for the bill, enough Republicans would need to back it.
