In a rare display of bipartisanship, the US House of Representatives on Saturday granted long-delayed military aid to Ukraine while simultaneously supporting Taiwan’s and Israel’s defenses and threatening to outlaw Chinese-owned TikTok.
The $95 billion package’s four legislation were swiftly and resoundingly adopted, but they cast uncertainty on Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson’s future as he tries to appease his irate far-right critics.
The legislation would “deliver critical support to Israel and Ukraine; provide desperately needed humanitarian aid to Gaza, Sudan, Haiti and other locations,” according to a statement released by US President Joe Biden. and promote stability and security throughout the Indo-Pacific.”
He applauded lawmakers who “answered history’s call” by uniting across party lines.
The $61 billion designated for Ukraine was hailed by President Volodymyr Zelensky, who said that the financial and military support will “save thousands and thousands of lives.”
Russia, predictably enough, had the opposite opinion.
“It will further enrich the United States of America and ruin Ukraine even more, by killing even more Ukrainians because of the Kyiv regime,” said presidential spokesman Dmitry Peskov, state news agency TASS reported.
On Tuesday, the US Senate will consider the bill. Senate Majority Leader Charles Schumer stated in a statement on Saturday that “the finish line is now in sight…,” indicating that his chamber will move swiftly. America will perform once more.”
The laws are the result of bitter talks that lasted months, pressure from US friends, and Zelensky’s persistent requests for help.
The main military supporter of Ukraine in its conflict with Russia has been the United States, but Congress has not approved significant money for its friend for almost a year and a half, primarily due to partisan squabbling.
For months, Biden and Democratic members of Congress have been advocating for a significant new arms package for Ukraine.
However, Republicans have been reluctant to give Kyiv funding for the protracted battle due to their influence with the party’s presidential candidate, Donald Trump.
The financing of the war has become a contentious issue ahead of November’s presidential election, which is predicted to match Biden and Trump once more.
Following months of deliberation, Johnson at last endorsed the aid plan for Ukraine.
“To put it bluntly, I’d rather send bullets to Ukraine than American boys,” Johnson said.
Following Saturday’s vote, Biden had a conversation with Johnson and his Democratic counterpart Hakeem Jeffries to “thank them for their leadership and putting our national security first,” according to the White House.
At least for the time being, the small group of far-right Republicans who had threatened to arrange Johnson’s removal if he pushed for the vote in Ukraine seemed to have backed off on Saturday.
“I’m actually going to let my colleagues go home and hear from their constituents” about their anger over the vote, congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene said on CNN.
The Ukraine bill also gives Biden the authority to seize and sell Russian property, giving Ukraine the money it needs to finance reconstruction. Other G7 countries have welcomed this action.
