House to vote on national security, foreign aid bills
WASHINGTON – The Republicancontrolled U.S. House of Representatives is expected to vote on Saturday on aid for Ukraine, Israel and the Indo-pacific, along with a national security bill that could effectively ban Tiktok in the United States.
Here is what is in the four bills:
What’s in the Ukraine aid bill?
The largest of the three bills, in dollar terms, allocates $60.84 billion to support Ukraine in its two-year-old battle to repel Russia’s invasion.
This includes $23.2 billion to replenish U.S. weapons, stocks and facilities and $11.3 billion for current U.S. military operations in the region.
The U.S. does not have troops in Ukraine, but the Pentagon has been training Ukrainian troops elsewhere in the region and continues to maintain readiness and a presence across the continent, including countries in eastern Europe such as Estonia.
It also includes $13.8 billion for the purchase of advanced weapons systems, plus $26 million to “continue oversight and accountability” of aid provided to Ukraine.
If approved, the funding would bring the total U.S. investment in the conflict to $170 billion. It would be the first new funding approved by Congress since Republicans took control of the House in January 2023.
How much aid would Israel get?
The bill provides $26.38 billion to support Israel and reimburse U.S. military operations in response to recent attacks.
Some $5.2 billion will go toward replenishing and expanding Israel’s missile and rocket defense system. Another $3.5 billion will go to purchasing advanced weapons systems, $1 billion to enhance weapons production and $4.4 billion for other supplies and services provided to Israel.
It will prohibit funds to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency, which provides support to Palestinian refugees.
What’s in the Indo-pacific aid bill?
The smallest of the three bills will provide $8.12 billion “to counter communist China and ensure a strong deterrence in the region” as China flexes its military muscles.
Some $3.3 billion will be allocated to developing submarine infrastructure, plus $2 billion in foreign military financing for Taiwan and other key allies in the region to support them “confronting Chinese aggression.”
What’s in the bill to ban Tiktok?
A bill released late Wednesday night would give Bytedance, the Chinese owner of the short-video social media app Tiktok, up to a year to divest its U.S. assets or face a ban on its app being available in U.S. app stores or on U.S. web hosting services. That is double the six months that a bill the House passed last month would have allowed.
The 21st Century Peace through Strength Act would also allow the federal government to transfer frozen Russian sovereign assets to Ukraine and expand sanctions against Iran and its oil production.