(CNN) — The US House of Representatives on Saturday approved a plan that includes a US$95 billion package that includes foreign aid to Ukraine, Israel and the Indo-Pacific region and a potential veto by social network TikTok.
The vote virtually guaranteed emergency foreign aid after months of tough negotiations in Congress since October, briefly marred by one of the most politically sensitive issues — without approval in the Senate. To President Joe Biden: Border security.
In recent months, Biden has raised the need for more funding for the war-torn country as a national security priority, warning against ceding any ground to Russia. More recently, U.S. officials have attributed losses on the Ukrainian battlefield to a lack of additional U.S. aid. In February, for example, the White House pointedly blamed Republicans in Congress for Ukraine's withdrawal from the key city of Avdiivka.
“Today, members of both parties in the House voted to advance our national security interests and send a clear message about the power of American leadership on the world stage. At this critical juncture, they have come together to answer the call of history, the urgently needed national security legislation I have championed for months,” Biden said in a statement.
“I urge the Senate to quickly send this package to my desk so I can sign it into law and quickly send weapons and equipment to Ukraine to meet their urgent battlefield needs,” he added.
What the Ukraine aid package includes
The Ukraine aid package was approved by a vote of 311 to 112. Democrats waved Ukrainian flags and cheered during the vote.
The total US$95 billion package includes US$61 billion for Ukraine and its regional partners.
Of that total, about $23 billion will be used to replenish U.S. weapons, arsenals and facilities, and more than $11 billion will fund ongoing U.S. military operations in the region.
The nearly $14 billion included in the bill would help Ukraine purchase advanced weapons systems and other defense equipment.
The measure received unanimous support from Democrats, while Republicans were divided.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said in a post on X that he was “thankful” to the lawmakers. “Democracy and freedom will always be of universal importance and will never fail as long as America helps protect them,” Zelensky said in the recording. “The major U.S. aid bill passed by the House today will prevent the war from expanding, save thousands of lives, and help both of our countries grow stronger.”
“Justified peace and security can only be achieved through force,” he added.
What does aid to Israel include?
The House approved the Israel Security Supplement by a vote of 366 to 58.
The package includes a total of US$26.4 billion in aid to Israel
- US$4 billion for Iron Dome and David Sling missile defense systems
- 1.2 billion USD for Iron Beam Defense System
- US$4.4 billion to replenish defense supplies and services to Israel
- US$3.5 billion to acquire advanced weapons systems and other items through the Foreign Military Financing Program
- Humanitarian assistance to people in crisis (including emergency food, shelter and basic services) is US$9.2 billion.
Provides additional flexibility to transfer defense supplies to Israel from US arsenals in other countries and prohibits funds from being sent to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA).
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu thanked the House of Representatives. “The U.S. Congress has passed a highly rated relief bill that demonstrates strong bipartisan support for Israel and protects Western civilization. “Thank you friends, thank you America!” Netanyahu said on social media. In turn, Foreign Minister Israel Katz also thanked the House, adding that the measure had “strong support” in the U.S. Senate. “With bipartisan support,” he said he hoped it would be ratified soon.
Indo-Pacific Collection
The House passed the Indo-Pacific Defense Bill with a bipartisan vote of 385-34.
A total of $8.1 billion to counter China's activities in the Indo-Pacific region includes:
- 3.3 billion USD to improve underwater infrastructure
- $2 billion in foreign military funding for Taiwan and other key allies
- US$1.9 billion to complement defense goods and services provided to Taiwan and its regional partners.
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer took the formal steps to begin voting on the foreign aid package passed by the House on Saturday afternoon. The House is supposed to be on recess next week, but will return to pass the legislation.
Mike Johnson continues in his position
House Speaker Mike Johnson's job is safe after Republican Rep. Marjorie Taylor Green said Saturday she would not move forward with her override motion, which is rarely used to remove a president on camera. He wants his Republican colleagues to “go home and listen to their constituents.”
After months of resisting the introduction of a foreign aid bill in the House of Representatives, GOP Leader Mike Johnson joined with Democrats to advance the measure to a vote on Saturday.
Meanwhile, several lawmakers from both parties who supported the relief packages said Saturday that their views of Johnson as House leader had changed for the better after the president introduced the bills despite threats to his job.
The bipartisan move drew the ire of some hard-line members of the Republican Party, who support efforts to impeach him. Johnson's job is now safe, with Rep. Marjorie Taylor Green saying she won't move forward with an ouster motion just yet.
With reporting by Kanitha Iyer and Shania Shelton
