The House of Representatives on Saturday was moving towards passing a $95 billion foreign aid package for Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan, despite opposition from hard-liners within the Republican Party. Speaker Mike Johnson took a risk by advancing the long-stalled legislation, which includes separate bills for aid to Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan, as well as measures related to TikTok and sanctions on Iran. Each of the aid bills is expected to pass overwhelmingly, with the Senate likely taking up the legislation soon and sending it to President Biden for approval.
The aid package includes $60 billion for Ukraine, $26 billion for Israel and humanitarian aid for conflict zones like Gaza, and $8 billion for the Indo-Pacific region. The legislation also directs the president to seek repayment of $10 billion from Ukraine, but allows for forgiveness of those loans starting in 2026. The scene in the House is expected to showcase bipartisan support for aiding Ukraine in its conflict with Russia, as well as the political risk taken by Mr. Johnson to push the legislation through despite opposition from some members of his own party.
The decision to advance aid to Ukraine was driven by concerns that a Russian victory in Ukraine could embolden President Putin to take further aggressive actions in Europe. Mr. Johnson emphasized the importance of supporting Ukraine to prevent the need for U.S. troops to get involved. His move to push for aid to Kyiv angered some ultraconservative Republicans who accused him of breaking promises on border security. Efforts to oust Mr. Johnson from the speakership gained support from some members of his own party, but the aid package ultimately passed with Democratic support.
The opposition to the aid package from conservative Republicans forced Mr. Johnson to rely on Democratic votes to get the legislation to the House floor. The bill includes provisions to sell off frozen Russian assets to help fund the Ukrainian war effort, although there is debate among American allies about the legality and effectiveness of this approach. The legislation also imposes sanctions on Iranian and Russian officials and restricts the export of U.S. technology used in making Iranian drones. Amendments proposed by Republicans to limit or zero out funding for Ukraine are expected to fail.
The aid package represents a key opportunity for Congress to show bipartisan support for crucial foreign aid efforts. Lawmakers have emphasized the importance of standing by allies and supporting democratic values in the face of rising global threats. The passage of this legislation is seen as a significant step in continuing to provide assistance to Ukraine and other allies facing security challenges. The decision by Mr. Johnson to navigate the political challenges and advance the aid package underscores the complexity of foreign aid decisions in the current geopolitical landscape.
