The US House of Representatives has passed a $95 billion legislative package providing security assistance to Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan, amid objections from a section of Republican lawmakers.
This comes as leaders from Democratic President Joe Biden to top Senate Republican Mitch McConnell have been asking House Speaker Mike Johnson to bring it up for a vote. The legislation now proceeds to the Democratic-majority Senate, which passed a similar measure over two months ago. The Senate is expected to pass the measure next week, sending it to Biden to sign into law.
Johnson this week chose to ignore ouster threats by hardline members of his fractious 218-213 majority and push forward the measure that includes some $60.84 billion for Ukraine as it struggles in its battle with Russia. The four-bill package also includes funds for Israel, security aid for Taiwan and allies in the Indo-Pacific and a measure that includes a threat to ban the Chinese-owned app TikTok and the potential transfer of seized Russian assets to Ukraine.
Some Republicans have voiced strong opposition to further Ukraine aid, with some arguing the US can ill afford it given its rising $34 trillion national debt. They have repeatedly raised the threat of ousting Johnson, who became speaker in October after his predecessor, Kevin McCarthy, was ousted by party hardliners. “It’s not the perfect legislation, it’s not the legislation that we would write if Republicans were in charge of both the House, the Senate, and the White House,” Johnson told reporters on Friday. “This is the best possible product that we can get under these circumstances to take care of these really important obligations.”
Earlier, GOP presidential candidate Donald Trump, who carries huge influence in the party, on April 12 voiced support for Johnson and in a Thursday social media post said Ukraine’s survival is important for the US. The bills provide $60.84 billion to address the conflict in Ukraine, including $23 billion to replenish U.S. weapons, stocks and facilities; $26 billion for Israel, including $9.1 billion for humanitarian needs, and $8.12 billion for the Indo-Pacific.
(With agency inputs)
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