Written by Patricia Zengerle and Richard Cowan
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – A comprehensive foreign aid package was easily approved by the U.S. Congress late on Tuesday after months of delays, paving the way for billions of dollars in new funding for Ukraine amidst Russia’s invasion and Kyiv’s supply shortages.
The Senate passed four bills, with a vote of 79 to 18, that had been previously approved by the House of Representatives on Saturday. This came after House Republican leaders unexpectedly allowed a vote on the $95 billion aid package for Ukraine, Israel, Taiwan, and U.S. partners in the Indo-Pacific.
The Senate combined the four bills into one package, which President Joe Biden stated he would sign into law on Wednesday.
The largest portion of the aid package, totaling $61 billion, is allocated for Ukraine, while $26 billion is earmarked for Israel and humanitarian aid in conflict zones globally. An additional $8.12 billion is designated for countering China in the Indo-Pacific region.
The package also includes measures such as a potential ban on TikTok, provisions for transferring seized Russian assets to Ukraine, and new sanctions on Iran.
Biden’s administration is preparing a $1 billion military aid package for Ukraine, including various weapons and ammunition, which will be sourced from the approved bill.
The Senate leadership, both Democrats and Republicans, expressed confidence that the aid package sends a strong message to foreign adversaries like Russian President Vladimir Putin, demonstrating continued support for Ukraine and other partners.
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer emphasized the significance of the bill in protecting American security and democracy.
The aid package may be the last one approved for Ukraine until after the November elections, with opposition primarily coming from Republicans aligned with former President Donald Trump.
Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell regretted the delay in passing the aid package, which was largely due to objections from some Republicans regarding the amount of funding allocated to Ukraine.
Analysts believe that the influx of weapons will bolster Ukraine’s defense against Russian forces, despite the aid arriving later than initially requested by Biden.
Senator Schumer conveyed a message of support to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, urging him to continue fighting for his country.
The aid for Israel, along with humanitarian assistance for conflict zones like Gaza, is expected to have a positive impact on the region.
The bill’s progress has been closely monitored by the defense industry, as major companies stand to benefit from supplying equipment to Ukraine and other U.S. partners.
Experts anticipate that the additional spending will boost the order backlog for defense firms like RTX Corp, Lockheed Martin, General Dynamics, and Northrop Grumman.
The House passed the Ukraine funding with bipartisan support, although some Republicans opposed further aid for Kyiv.
Despite calls for Speaker Mike Johnson’s removal, the House left for a recess without taking action.
