US House approves $95-billion aid package for Ukraine, Israel & Taiwan

Four-bill package passes House of Representatives with broad bipartisan support, Zelenskyy says grateful

The US House of Representatives Saturday with broad bipartisan support passed a $95 billion legislative package providing security assistance to Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan, over bitter objections from Republican hardliners.

The legislation now proceeds to the Democratic-majority Senate, which passed a similar measure more than two months ago. US leaders from Democratic President Joe Biden to top Senate Republican Mitch Mcconnell have been urging embattled Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson to bring it up for a vote.

The Senate is expected to pass the measure next week, sending it to Biden to sign into law.

A dozen or so Democratic lawmakers waved small Ukrainian flags as it became clear that element of the package was headed to passage.

Johnson this week chose to ignore ouster threats by hardline members of his fractious 218-213 majority and push forward the measure that includes some $60.84 billion for Ukraine as it struggles to fight off a two-year Russian invasion. The Republican-controlled house stalled this measure for months.

The unusual four-bill package also includes funds for Israel, security assistance for Taiwan and allies in the Indo-pacific and a measure that includes sanctions, a threat to ban the Chineseowned social media app Tiktok and the potential transfer of seized Russian assets to Ukraine.

President Biden Saturday urged the Senate to quickly send the aid package to his desk so that he can sign it into law.

Some hardline Republicans have voiced strong opposition to further ukraine aid, with some arguing theu.s.c an ill afford it given its rising $34 trillion national debt. They have repeatedly raised the threat of ousting Johnson after his predecessor, kevinmc car thy, was ousted by party hardliners.

But Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump, who carries huge influence in the party, on April 12 voiced support for Johnson and in a Thursday social media post said Ukraine's survival is important for the U.S.

The bills provide $60.84 billion to address the conflict in Ukraine, including $23 billion to replenish U.S. weapons, stocks and facilities; $26 billion for Israel, including $9.1 billion for humanitarian needs, and $8.12 billion for the Indo-pacific.

Ukrainepresident Volodymyr Zelenskyy posted on X that he was grateful to the US House of Representatives, both parties and the Speaker for the decision that keeps “history on the right track”.

AP Representative Nancy Pelosi and other lawmakers arrive to vote on the $95-billion aid package.