US President Joe Biden said he will sign legislation on Wednesday that will provide $95 billion in aid to Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan after the Senate gave its approval late Tuesday.
The 79-18 vote came after months of delays, including the Senate approving a similar measure and House leaders refusing to hold a vote of their own amid disagreements over sending aid overseas. and internal security priorities.
The House renewed the effort after negotiations among congressional leaders to overcome objections, ultimately passing the measure by a vote of 311 to 112 on Saturday.
Ukraine's battle against a Russian invasion is the main focus of the package, with $61 billion earmarked for that fight.
The bill also includes $26 billion for Israel at a time when it is fighting Hamas militants in the Gaza Strip, and $8 billion to counter China's actions that threaten Taiwan and other allies in the Gaza Strip. Indo-Pacific region.
Biden said in a statement shortly after the Senate vote that the United States could begin shipping weapons and military equipment to Ukraine this week.
“This critical legislation will make our nation and the world safer as we support our friends defending themselves against terrorists like Hamas and tyrants like [Russian President Vladimir] Putin,” Biden said.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has been urging his allies to provide more aid to help his military confront Russian forces, particularly to defend Ukrainian cities from daily missile and drone attacks.
Zelenskyy thanked Biden, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell following the Senate's approval, saying the vote “reinforces America's role as a beacon of democracy.” and leader of the free world.”
“Ukraine's long-range capabilities, artillery and air defense are essential tools for restoring a just peace as soon as possible,” Zelenskyy said.
Schumer said Tuesday night that the United States will soon deliver munitions and air defenses to help Ukraine resist Russia, send aid to Israel to fight Hamas and confront Iran, deliver food and medicine to civilians in Gaza and help allies to resist China.
“We tell our allies that we are with you. We tell our adversaries not to mess with us,” Schumer said.
McConnell told the Senate before the vote that the world was watching how lawmakers would act.
"History will record that even as allies and partners may have worried about the depth of our resolve, even as Moscow, Beijing and Tehran became increasingly convinced that our influence had run its course, and even as strong voices here back home insisted on abandoning leadership responsibilities, the United States stepped up," McConnell said.
Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz also thanked lawmakers for passing the security aid bill, calling the package “a clear testament to the strength of our alliance and sends a strong message to all our enemies”.
