US Congress must approve US billion-dollar aid for Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan

Washington (Reuters) – Expected billion-dollar US aid to Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan is expected to be easily approved by the country’s Senate this week, after the House of Representatives ended a months-long impasse over funding and approved the assistance in a rare Saturday session.

The Senate will analyze this Tuesday (23) the package of four bills, one that provides US$61 billion for Ukraine, a second with US$26 billion for Israel, and a third with US$8.12 billion of dollars “to combat communist China” in the Indo-Pacific.

There is also a project in progress that includes a possible ban on the TikTok app, measures to transfer seized Russian assets to Ukraine and new sanctions on Iran.

The package could be approved in the Senate as early as this Tuesday and go to the White House, where President Joe Biden has promised to quickly sanction it.

This would pave the way for military assistance shipments to reach Ukraine within days, providing a morale boost as its troops fight the Russian invaders.

The influx of weapons should improve Kiev’s chances of avoiding a major Russian advance in the east, analysts said, although it would have been more helpful if the aid had come closer to when Biden requested it last year.

It was not immediately clear how the money for Israel would affect the Gaza conflict — Israel already receives billions of dollars in U.S. security assistance. The package also includes humanitarian assistance, which supporters hope will help Palestinians in Gaza.

The Israel bill passed the House by an overwhelming majority of 366 to 58 – with 21 Republicans and 37 Democrats voting against it.

The Republicans’ no votes came from the more radical wing of the party, which generally opposes foreign aid. Democrats who voted “no” said they wanted more to be done to alleviate the devastating humanitarian cost of Israel’s campaign in Gaza, in retaliation for the Oct. 7 attacks by Hamas fighters that killed 1,200 people and took about 250 hostages. .

The Israeli military offensive that followed those attacks has killed more than 34,000 people in Gaza, according to the enclave’s health authorities.

The Senate approved security aid for Ukraine, Israel and the Indo-Pacific more than two months ago, with the support of 70% of the 100-member House, both Republicans and Democrats.

“The House acted, now it’s the Senate’s turn, and the finish line is in sight,” Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said in a statement after the House vote.

“To our friends in Ukraine, to our allies in NATO, to our allies in Israel, and to civilians around the world who need help: rest assured that the United States will deliver once again.”

The White House said Biden told Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy in a phone call on Monday that his administration will provide new security assistance “to meet Ukraine’s urgent battlefield and air defense needs” once he signs the bills. of supplementary spending law.

The House approved funding for Ukraine by 311 to 112 votes, with all votes against coming from Republicans. Only 101 Republicans voted in favor, forcing Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson to rely on the support of Democrats and prompting calls for his removal as House leader.