By an overwhelming vote of 79 - 18 with 3 not voting, the Senate passed the $95 billion aid package to enable Ukraine to resist the criminal Russian invasion, as well as funds for Israel, Taiwan and humanitarian aid for Gaza's population. The bill now goes to President Biden for signature. From the Washington Post:
"President Biden said in a statement he would sign the bill into law as soon as it crosses his desk on Wednesday, and send aid to Ukraine this week. The funds help him deliver on his promise to the nation’s NATO allies to continue to aid Ukraine as it enters its third year fending off Russia’s invasion.
Passage of the legislation marks the first significant new tranche of aid passed by the U.S. Congress to the beleaguered nation in more than a year, as some Republicans aligned more with former president Donald Trump’s 'America First' foreign policy waged a fierce battle against it. They ultimately lost out when Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) decided to put the $61 billion in Ukraine aid on the floor last Saturday, citing his belief that Russia posed a serious threat. [snip]
The legislation also sends $26 billion in funds for Israel and humanitarian aid for Gaza and other places, at a time when some congressional Democrats are calling for further aid to Israel to come with conditions. [snip]
The Senate measure also would force TikTok’s Chinese-owned parent company to sell off the social media site or face a ban, as well as allocating $8 billion for Taiwan, other Indo-Pacific allies and countering China. A portion of the $61 billion in Ukraine funds are given via a loan to Ukraine that the U.S. president may forgive beginning in 2026.
The Ukraine funds come at a key juncture for the country in its war with Russia, as Ukrainian forces, running low on ammunition, have begun to cede frontline towns to Russia. The Pentagon has warned for months that a U.S. failure to arm Ukraine would prove catastrophic and potentially spur Russian military advancement into other neighboring countries." (our emphasis)
The pro-Russia wing of the MAGA Republican party lost on this one, after months of obstruction over their cult leader's anger at Ukraine for not going along with his effort to find dirt on Biden, culminating in the Malignant Loser's first impeachment. Democracy wins to fight another day against them and other neo-fascists.
