In a rare weekend session, the US House of Representatives approved $95 billion in foreign aid for Ukraine, Israel, and other US allies. On Saturday, the legislation, which includes $61 billion for Ukraine, $26 billion for Israel and humanitarian aid for civilians in conflict zones, including Gaza, and $8 billion for the Indo-Pacific region, was passed with wide bipartisan support.
The Senate is expected to pass the legislation as early as Tuesday. Here is a broad breakdown of the spending:
Ukraine
Almost $61 billion is being directed to the conflict in Ukraine, specifically:
- $23 billion to replenish US weapons, stocks, and facilities;
- $14 billion for the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative, a US Department of State-led funding programme that helps train Ukraine’s military and provides equipment;
- More than $11 billion to fund current US military operations in the region, enhance the capabilities of the Ukrainian military, and boost intelligence collaboration between the two countries; and
- $8 billion in non-military assistance, including helping Kyiv pay salaries
The bill also contains a measure to facilitate the sale of frozen Russian sovereign assets to fund the Ukrainian war effort.
I am grateful to the United States House of Representatives, both parties, and personally Speaker Mike Johnson for the decision that keeps history on the right track.
— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) April 20, 2024
Democracy and freedom will always have global significance and will never fail as long as America helps to…
Israel-Gaza
Aid package to civilians in Gaza and Israel’s missile defence systems:
- $9.2 billion for humanitarian purposes, including in the Gaza Strip and the occupied West Bank;
- $5.2 billion go to replenishing and expanding Israel’s missile and rocket defence system;
- $3.5 billion for buying advanced weapons systems and $1 billion to enhance weapons production; and
- $4.4 billion for other supplies and services to Israel
Taiwan and the Indo-Pacific
The bill will dedicate $8.12 billion go to the Asia Pacific, including Taiwan. Of which, more than $3.3 billion would go toward submarine infrastructure and development, with an additional $1.9 billion to replenish US weapons provided to Taiwan and other regional allies.
Comments from Biden
“Today, members of both parties in the House voted to advance our national security interests and send a clear message about the power of American leadership on the world stage. At this critical inflection point, they came together to answer history’s call, passing urgently needed national security legislation that I have fought for months to secure,” President Joe Biden said on Saturday.
“I urge the Senate to quickly send this package to my desk so that I can sign it into law, and we can quickly send weapons and equipment to Ukraine to meet their urgent battlefield needs,” he underscored.
Opposition
Meanwhile, opponents of the bill, particularly hard-right Republicans, argue that the country should focus on domestic issues, including domestic border security and the nation’s rising debt load. They also warned against spending more money to produce weaponry used overseas.