The staunch opposition to long-awaited bipartisan aid bills to U.S. allies, including Ukraine and Israel, has finally been broken with the U.S. House of Representatives advancing the USD 95 billion package forward in a procedural, bi-partisan vote on Friday. Separate votes for each aid bill proposed by Speaker Mike Johnson are now finally slated for Saturday.
Until now the bill was held back by Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson due to fierce opposition from a small but vocal segment within his party.
In addition to the aid, the package includes a provision to transfer frozen Russian assets to Ukraine, sanctions targeting Hamas and Iran, and forces China’s ByteDance to sell social media platform TikTok or face a ban in the U.S.
The legislation provides more than USD 95 billion in security assistance, including USD 9.1 billion for humanitarian aid, which Democrats had demanded.
In addition to the aid, the package includes a provision to transfer frozen Russian assets to Ukraine, sanctions targeting Hamas and Iran, and forces China’s ByteDance to sell social media platform TikTok or face a ban in the U.S.
Necessary aid⚡️ The US House of Representatives will vote on an aid package for Ukraine tomorrow
— NEXTA (@nexta_tv) April 19, 2024
Ukraine is on the agenda after the bill on aid to Israel. pic.twitter.com/YcEn989YZF
The legislation provides more than USD 95 billion in security assistance, including USD 9.1 billion for humanitarian aid, which Democrats had demanded.
If the House passes the measure, as expected, the Senate will need to follow suit and send it to President Joe Biden to sign into law.
Democratic Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer told senators on Friday to be prepared to come back over the weekend to vote on the legislation if needed.
Opposition voices
Some conservative lawmakers oppose aid to Ukraine, and Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump has sent mixed messages about it.
Some Democrats also oppose certain provisions in the bill, notably on aid for Israel, and have pushed for more conditions on that assistance.
Democratic Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer told senators on Friday to be prepared to come back over the weekend to vote on the legislation if needed.
Opposition voices
Some conservative lawmakers oppose aid to Ukraine, and Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump has sent mixed messages about it.
Some Democrats also oppose certain provisions in the bill, notably on aid for Israel, and have pushed for more conditions on that assistance.
Source: Reuters
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