Democrats and Republicans in the Senate united on Tuesday morning to pass a $95 billion national security package that included crucial aid to three key US allies – Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan.
The vote was 70-29. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, a Democrat from New York, welcomed the passage in his remarks on the Senate floor after the vote.
“If we want the world to remain a safe place for freedom, for democratic principles, and for our future prosperity, then America must lead the way. And with this bill, the Senate declares that American leadership will not waver, not falter, not fail.”
Schumer stated that the Senate’s action would make Russian President Vladimir Putin “regret the day he questioned America’s resolve.”
And we send a clear bipartisan message of resolve to our allies in NATO.
Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, a Kentucky Republican, declared that “adversaries want America to decide that reinforcing allies and partners is not in our interest and that investing in strategic competition is not worth it. They want us to take hard-earned credibility and light it on fire.”
“But today, the Senate responded by reaffirming a commitment to rebuild and modernise our military, restore our credibility, and give the current Commander-in-Chief, as well as the next, more tools to secure our interests.”
The emergency aid bill now faces an uncertain fate in the Republican-controlled House of Representatives, where conservatives are pressuring Speaker Mike Johnson to block funding for war-torn Ukraine until America’s southern border is secure.
Now, in the absence of having received any single border policy change from the Senate, the House will have to continue to work its own will on these important matters.
The package passed by the Senate calls for $95.34 billion in aid, including $60.06 billion to help defend Ukraine, $14.1 billion in security assistance to Israel, $9.15 billion in humanitarian aid for Gaza and other hotspots, and $4.83 billion to support allies in the Indo-Pacific region.
