The Senate passed the $95 billion foreign aid package funding Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan in a bipartisan vote and sent the legislation to President Joe Biden’s desk on Tuesday, ending a prolonged delay in securing military assistance for Kyiv—which faced strong opposition from several top House Republicans.
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) gives photographers a thumbs up as he arrives at a media ... [+]
The bill passed with an overwhelming bipartisan 79-18 vote after it was cleared by the House on Saturday.
While 15 Republicans ended up voting against the bill, nine who previously opposed the aid package flipped their vote to a yes.
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) said on X the legislation was “one of the most consequential measures Congress has passed in years to protect America’s security and the future of Democracy.”
In a follow up post, Schumer added: “Tonight, we make Vladimir Putin regret the day he questioned America’s resolve.”
Reacting to the bill’s passage, Biden said he would sign the bill into law “as soon as it reaches my desk tomorrow” and the U.S. will begin sending weapons and equipment to Ukraine this week.
The president hailed the legislation, saying it will “make our nation and world more secure as we support our friends who are defending themselves against terrorists like Hamas and tyrants like Putin.”
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy thanked Biden, Schumer and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) for the passage of the bill and said: “This vote reinforces America’s role as a beacon of democracy and the leader of the free world…Ukraine's long-range capabilities, artillery, and air defense are critical tools for restoring just peace sooner.”