(NationRise.com) – A foreign aid bill that includes tens of billions of dollars for Ukraine won the majority Senate vote by a landslide on April 23rd. The $95 billion bill will provide aid to Ukraine, Taiwan, and Israel. It will now move to President Joe Biden’s desk, who is expected to sign it.
The bill was subject to a series of delays in the House as Republicans questioned whether the US is too involved in foreign wars. They also wanted to include a provision for border security to combat Biden’s open border policies. The president worked alongside several congressional representatives to help promote and advance the bill. He is expected to expedite the transfer of weapons to Ukraine.
Government officials said the first $1 billion will likely be sent very soon. The remaining funds will be sent over the coming weeks.
Chuck Schumer (D-NY), who currently serves as the Senate Majority Leader, claimed that the United States would have paid a steep price in terms of politics, economics, and national security if the bill wasn’t passed. He called it a new level of “historic importance.” He credited the bill for sending a message to allies that “we will stand with you.”
Schumer joined Mitch McConnell (R-KY) in prioritizing the bill’s passage. They believed including funding for Israel would help improve its chances of passing. They also claimed allowing Russia to seize control of Ukraine would result in dire consequences. They also teamed up with Mike Johnson, who initially opposed the bill, to get House Republicans to budge on the legislation. McConnell referred to those who initially refused to budge as “isolationists.” The bill was ultimately approved in the House by a vote of 311-112.
$61 billion of the total package will be sent to Ukraine. Officials in the country have claimed a dire shortage of munitions. However, the United States is also facing a dire shortage after two years of supporting Ukraine’s war. Some of the money included in the bill will be used to construct new munitions factories in the US. The Army hopes that it can increase 150 mm shell production to 60,000 rounds per month, double its current rate.
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