A $95 billion emergency aid package for Taiwan, Israel, and Ukraine was eventually approved by the US Senate, underscoring the Republican Party’s growing isolationism and undermining US foreign policy commitments.
On April 24, US President Joe Biden will sign a national security deal that will provide long-overdue $95 billion in emergency help to Taiwan, Israel, and Ukraine. On Tuesday night, the Senate approved the aid for the US partners under siege, paving the path for the return of armaments to Ukraine in a matter of days.
“My legislation was passed by Congress to fortify our national security and demonstrate to the rest of the world the strength of American leadership by standing firmly for democracy and freedom and opposing tyranny and oppression,” the statement said.
The need is urgent, according to Biden: for Israel, which recently saw unprecedented attacks from Iran; for refugees and those affected by conflicts and natural disasters worldwide, such as in Gaza, Sudan, and Haiti; and for our partners looking for security and stability in the Indo-Pacific. Ukraine is under constant Russian bombardment.
Due to acute weapon shortages and an urgent need for additional air defense systems, Ukraine’s fighting forces face the risk of a Russian breakthrough more than two years after the invasion began.
‘Better late than never’
The US Senate voted 79–18 on Tuesday night, breaking a congressional deadlock over aid that Biden had asked for about six months ago. This delay has emphasized the rise of isolationism in the Republican Party and damaged the legitimacy of US foreign policy pledges.
Better late than never was the sentiment expressed by Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell, who supported the aid measure. We don’t need to and we won’t give up on Ukraine.”
The bipartisan vote of 311 to 112 in the House passed the bill, and the Senate was bound to adopt the package. Speaker Mike Johnson stuck with the plan even though the majority of his fellow Republicans disapproved of it.
The $61 billion for Ukraine consists of $14 billion for US-made defense systems to be transferred to Ukraine and $13 billion to restock US arsenals with weapons already supplied. $7 billion is also included for US military operations in the area.
The bill provides $9.5 billion in loan forgiveness to Ukraine, which can be fully repaid by the president following the next election.
