House Passes $95bn Aid Package for Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan; Senate Expected to Vote Next Week

The United States House of Representatives has passed a $95 billion legislative package providing security assistance to Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan, despite objections from Republican hardliners. The bill is now headed to the Democratic-majority Senate for a vote next week, with President Joe Biden expected to sign it into law.

The legislation, which includes $61 billion to address the conflict in Ukraine, $26 billion for Israel, and $8 billion for the Asia Pacific region, received broad bipartisan support in the House. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy expressed his gratitude for the aid, stating that it will help prevent the war from expanding and save lives.

However, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova criticized the bill, calling it a sponsorship of terrorist activities. The vote in the House saw 101 Republicans supporting the legislation, while 112 voted against it, citing concerns about accountability and the allocation of funds.

In addition to the aid for Ukraine and Israel, the bill also includes measures to ban the Chinese-owned social media app TikTok and potentially transfer seized Russian assets to Ukraine. The passage of the bill highlights some divisions within Congress, particularly regarding support for Israel.

Overall, the passage of this legislation reflects the ongoing efforts to provide support to countries facing security challenges, while also addressing concerns and criticisms from various political factions.