With the passing of $95 billion in aid for Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan, the US once again finds itself embroiled in controversy amid worldwide protests against Israel's human rights violations, which include the killing of thousands of innocent Palestinians, including children and women. The US is being dubbed as aiding Israel in perpertrating further violence.
In a decisive move, the US Senate has overwhelmingly voted to approve a $95 billion aid package aimed at supporting Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan. The bipartisan super-majority, with a final vote of 79 to 18, signalled a united front in addressing geopolitical challenges and bolstering allies.
Israel's Foreign Minister, Israel Katz, hailed the $95 billion aid package as a "strong message" to their adversaries. Senator Lindsey Graham, once opposed, now supports the aid after witnessing Iran's aerial attack on Israel during his Ukraine visit. Graham emphasized the Senate's crucial role, urging swift action. The Senate's approval concludes a lengthy process sparked by a White House request following Hamas' October cross-border assault on Israel last year.
The bill, which had faced months of delays and setbacks, garnered bipartisan support after clearing a key procedural hurdle earlier in the day. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer hailed the passage as a significant achievement, emphasizing America's commitment to defending democracy and standing against authoritarian regimes like that of Vladimir Putin.
The aid package includes substantial funding allocations: $60.8 billion for Ukraine to bolster its defense against Russian aggression, $26.3 billion for Israel along with humanitarian relief for conflict zones such as Gaza, and $8.1 billion for the Indo-Pacific region to strengthen its defenses against China.
However, the bill's passage has not been without controversy. China expressed concerns over the funding allocated to Taiwan, urging the US to refrain from supporting "Taiwan independence" and ceasing arms sales to the island nation.
Reacting to the news, Taiwan's military announced intentions to discuss the utilization of the aid with the US, while Israel's Foreign Minister, Israel Katz, welcomed the funding as a "strong message" to the country's adversaries.
President Joe Biden, in a call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, assured swift delivery of military aid, including air defense weaponry, following the Senate's approval of the bill.
The aid package also includes provisions beyond foreign assistance. A measure aimed at blocking the social media platform TikTok in the US unless its Chinese-owned parent company divests within a year was added, garnering support from Republican lawmakers.
Despite initial resistance from some Republican senators, including Lindsey Graham, who later reversed course, the aid package passed with broad bipartisan support. Graham, who had previously endorsed former President Trump's loan plan for Ukraine, emphasized the importance of aiding allies like Israel in the face of regional threats.
The passage of the aid package marks the culmination of a prolonged effort on Capitol Hill, characterized by bipartisan negotiations and political manoeuvring. House Speaker Mike Johnson's decision to move forward with the bill came after personal entreaties from Biden, congressional leaders, and European heads of state.
In a statement following the Senate vote, Schumer praised Johnson and Republican Senate Leader Mitch McConnell for their bipartisan cooperation in advancing the bill, emphasizing the importance of standing on the side of democracy in the face of global challenges.
McConnell, who has made funding Ukraine's defense a priority, underscored the need for continued resolve in confronting isolationist tendencies within the Republican Party, stressing that rebuilding trust in American leadership requires sustained effort.