US House approves aid package worth billions for Ukraine and Israel | Politics News

The Democratic-majority Senate is expected to vote on the bill next week, sending it to President Joe Biden to sign into law.

The United States House of Representatives, with broad bipartisan support, approved a $95 billion legislative package providing security assistance to Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan, despite bitter objections from radical Republicans.

The legislation moved on Saturday to the Democratic-led Senate, which approved a similar measure more than two months ago.

US leaders, from Democratic President Joe Biden to the Senate’s top Republican, Mitch McConnell, had been urging Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson to bring the issue to a vote.

The Senate is expected to approve the measure next week, sending it to Biden to sign into law.

The bills provide about $61 billion to resolve the conflict in Ukraine, including $23 billion to replenish U.S. weapons, stocks and facilities; $26 billion for Israel, including $9 billion for humanitarian needs; and US$8 billion for Asia-Pacific, including Taiwan.

Zelenskyy thanks the Chamber

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy expressed his gratitude, saying US lawmakers acted to keep “history on the right track” by supporting his country after it was invaded by Russia.

“The vital U.S. relief bill passed by the House today will stop the spread of war, save thousands upon thousands of lives, and help both our nations become stronger,” Zelenskyy said on X.

Meanwhile, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said the new US legislation would “deepen the crisis around the world.”

“Military assistance to the Kiev regime is direct sponsorship of terrorist activities,” Zakharova said on Telegram.

It was unclear how quickly new military funding for Ukraine would run out, likely prompting calls for further action from Congress.

Biden, who since last year has urged Congress to approve additional aid to Ukraine, said in a statement: “This comes at a time of grave urgency, with Israel facing unprecedented attacks from Iran and Ukraine under continued bombardment from Russia.”

The vote on approving Ukraine funding was 311-112. Only 101 Republicans supported the legislation, with 112 voting against it.

Al Jazeera’s Patty Culhane, reporting from Washington, said the number of Republicans who voted against the bill in the House is significantly high.

“It’s notable that 112 Republicans voted ‘no’ for different reasons,” she said.

“Some believe the European Union should do more to help Ukraine, while others have said the money should be spent at home and Ukraine has no responsibility for how it spends the funds.

“This package was approved, but it calls into question what could happen next if Ukraine needs more funds in the future,” our correspondent added.

Chamber supports Israel

Meanwhile, the House’s actions during a rare Saturday session showed some cracks in what is generally solid support for Israel within Congress.

Saturday’s vote, in which aid to Israel was approved by 366 votes to 58, had 37 Democrats and 21 Republicans in opposition.

Al Jazeera’s Culhane said Democrats who voted against the Israel bill were very vocal in their criticism of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

“The number may not seem like much… but it is truly remarkable. It would have been unimaginable a decade or two ago,” she said. “I think this shows a big shift in the Democratic Party.”

The passage of the long-awaited legislation was closely watched by U.S. defense contractors, who could be in line for major contracts to supply equipment to Ukraine and other U.S. partners.

House Speaker Johnson chose this week to ignore threats to expel hard-line members of his rebellious 218-213 majority and move forward with the measure that includes funding for Ukraine as the country struggles to combat Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. two years.

The unusual package of four bills also contains a measure that includes a threat to ban the Chinese-owned social media app TikTok and the potential transfer of seized Russian assets to Ukraine.

Some Republicans have repeatedly raised the threat of removing Johnson, who became speaker of the House in October after his predecessor, Kevin McCarthy, was ousted by party hardliners.