On Saturday, the Republican-controlled U.S. House of Representatives is poised to vote on and likely pass a $95 billion legislative package aimed at providing security assistance to Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan, despite staunch objections from some party members.
After over two months since the Democratic-majority Senate passed a similar bill, calls from top leaders across the political spectrum, including Democratic President Joe Biden and leading Senate Republican Mitch McConnell, have urged House Speaker Mike Johnson to bring it to the floor for a vote.
Despite facing threats of removal from hardline members within his razor-thin 218-213 majority, Johnson has decided to press ahead with the legislation. The package allocates approximately $60.84 billion to Ukraine, which continues to grapple with a two-year Russian invasion.
In addition to the aid for Ukraine, the comprehensive package includes provisions for Israel, security assistance for Taiwan and Indo-Pacific allies, as well as measures involving sanctions and potential actions against entities like the Chinese-owned social media platform TikTok.
“The world is watching what the Congress does,” stated the White House in a message on Friday, emphasizing the significance of passing the legislation. The administration has urged swift action from both chambers of Congress to send the funding package to the President’s desk.
With a bipartisan 316-94 majority in the House voting to advance the bill, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer has alerted senators to be prepared for weekend sessions if the bill progresses as anticipated.
“This is the best possible product that we can get under these circumstances to take care of these really important obligations,” remarked Johnson to reporters on Friday, acknowledging the compromises made in the legislation.
However, some hardline Republicans have vehemently opposed additional aid to Ukraine, citing concerns over the nation’s ballooning national debt, which stands at $34 trillion.
Despite these objections and threats to Johnson’s leadership, former President Donald Trump, a prominent figure in the party, has voiced support for the House Speaker, emphasizing the importance of Ukraine’s survival.
The bill earmarks $60.84 billion for addressing the conflict in Ukraine, including substantial sums for replenishing U.S. weapons and providing assistance to Israel and the Indo-Pacific region.
