President Biden praised the Senate after the chamber approved a $95 billion emergency foreign aid package, saying he would sign the legislation Wednesday at the White House.
“Congress passed my legislation to strengthen our national security and send a message to the world about the power of American leadership: we stand resolutely for democracy and freedom, and against tyranny and oppression,” Biden said in a statement.
The Senate, in a 79-18 vote, approved a package that includes $61 billion for Ukraine, $15 billion in military aid for Israel, $9 billion in humanitarian aid for Gaza and other areas devastated by war and $8 billion in security assistance to deter the Chinese. aggression in the Indo-Pacific.
The legislation also includes language to force TikTok’s Chinese owner to divest itself of the popular app, which more than 140 million Americans use, or face a ban in the United States.
The president said he would provide comments and sign the bill on Wednesday, allowing the U.S. to begin sending new weapons and equipment to Ukraine this week.
“I want to thank Leader Schumer, Leader McConnell, and all of the bipartisan lawmakers in the Senate who voted for this bill,” Biden said. “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 Putin.”
The White House has for months appealed to lawmakers to approve additional aid to Ukraine, particularly as the country battles Russian aggression, but some conservative Republicans have balked at providing additional aid to Kiev.
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