Yesterday, the U.S. Senate voted 79-18 passing a $95 billion foreign aid package that provides $61 billion to Ukraine, $26 billion to Israel, and $8 billion to Taiwan.
President Joe Biden said Senate Democrats and Republicans joined together to answer a historic call, stating on X:
Tonight, a bipartisan majority in the Senate joined the House to answer history’s call at this critical inflection point. Congress has passed my legislation to strengthen our national security and send a message to the world about the power of American leadership: we stand resolutely for democracy and freedom, and against tyranny and oppression. I will sign this bill into law tomorrow.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky thanked Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) and said he looked forward to Biden signing the bill, stating on X:
I am grateful to the United States Senate for approving vital aid to Ukraine today. I thank Majority Leader Chuck Schumer @SenSchumer and Republican Leader Mitch McConnell @LeaderMcConnell for their strong leadership in advancing this bipartisan legislation, as well as all US Senators on both sides of the aisle who voted in favor of it. This vote reinforces America’s role as a beacon of democracy and the leader of the free world. I am also grateful to all Americans who continue to support Ukraine and recognize that the historical significance of this bill extends beyond politics. I equally appreciate President Biden’s support and look forward to the bill being signed soon and the next military aid package matching the resoluteness that I always see in our negotiations. Ukraine’s long-range capabilities, artillery, and air defense are critical tools for restoring just peace sooner.
Senator Peter Welch (D-Vt.) and Senator Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.) were the only Democrats to vote against the foreign-aid package, with Welch stating he opposed sending munitions to Israel, posting on X:
Tonight, I voted against the National Security Supplemental. This bill includes billions of dollars for Israel to procure offensive military aid. Sending Prime Minister Netanyahu’s government the munitions to destroy Gaza is wrong and inconsistent with our foreign policy goals.
Senator Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) voted against the bill, citing Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government as the reason he opposed sending aid, stating on X:
Tonight, I voted against the National Security Supplemental. This bill includes billions of dollars for Israel to procure offensive military aid. Sending Prime Minister Netanyahu’s government the munitions to destroy Gaza is wrong and inconsistent with our foreign policy goals.
Senator Ron Johnson (R-Wis.) said he opposed sending foreign aid before securing the U.S. border, stating on X:
Since this $95 billion package doesn’t secure our border and further plunders our children’s future, I’m voting no. Securing our own border before we secure another nation’s seems obvious to me, but apparently it is not to most in Congress.
Senator Mike Lee (R-Utah) said the politicians who passed the foreign aid bill are simply cowards who believes their actions are similar to Winston Churchill’s actions during World War II, stating on X:
They think they’re Churchill. They’re congratulating themselves for spending money that doesn’t belong to them — money we don’t have and will have to borrow and print. Spending other people’s money to fight someone else’s war — against their will — isn’t heroic. It’s cowardice.
Senator Tommy Tuberville (R-Ala.) said globalist Democrats used the October 7 attack on Israel as an opportunity to send foreign aid to Ukraine, and said he would support stand-alone aid to Israel, stating on X:
It has been 200 days since the barbaric, Oct. 7 terrorist attacks in Israel. I have been a strong supporter of Israel and joined @RogerMarshallMD ’s bill for stand-alone Israel aid. There’s no need to tie funding for Israel to Ukraine.
