Topline
President Joe Biden signed a $95 billion foreign aid package for Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan on Wednesday, ending a prolonged delay in securing military assistance for Kyiv amid strong opposition from several House Republicans—and requiring TikTok’s China-based parent company to either sell the platform or face a U.S. ban in the next year.
LONDON, ENGLAND – FEBRUARY 28: In this photo illustration, a TikTok logo is displayed on an iPhone … [+] on February 28, 2023 in London, England. This week, the US government and European Union’s parliament have announced bans on installing the popular social media app on staff devices. (Photo by Dan Kitwood/Getty Images)
Key Facts
The bill passed the Senate 79-18 on Tuesday after it was cleared by the House on Saturday.
While 15 Senate Republicans ended up voting against the bill, nine who previously opposed the aid package flipped their vote to a yes.
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., said on X the legislation was “one of the most consequential measures Congress has passed in years to protect America’s security and the future of Democracy.”
In a follow up post, Schumer said: “Tonight, we make Vladimir Putin regret the day he questioned America’s resolve.”
Reacting to the bill’s passage, Biden said he would sign it into law “as soon as it reaches my desk tomorrow” and the U.S. will begin sending weapons and equipment to Ukraine this week.
The president hailed the legislation, saying it will “make our nation and world more secure as we support our friends who are defending themselves against terrorists like Hamas and tyrants like Putin.”
Key Background
The $95 billion package includes around $61 billion in support for Ukraine, $26 billion for Israel and humanitarian aid for civilians in Gaza and $8 billion for U.S. partners in the Indo-Pacific—including Taiwan. Around $9 billion of the Ukraine aid has been structured as a “forgivable loan”—in line with a suggestion previously made by former President Donald Trump. The bill also includes provisions to allow the seizure of frozen Russian central bank assets to help rebuild Ukraine along with sanctions against Iranian and Russian officials.
Tangent
The aid package also bundled in legislation that could lead to TikTok getting banned in the U.S. unless its Chinese parent firm ByteDance agrees to sell its stake in the social media platform. The legislation grants the Chinese tech firm nine months to sell TikTok after the bill becomes law. An additional three-month extension may be granted if sale negotiations are ongoing. TikTok and ByteDance have not publicly commented on the passage of the bill but have previously said they will legally fight a forced sale or ban attempt.
Crucial Quote
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky thanked Biden, Schumer and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., for the passage of the bill and said: “This vote reinforces America’s role as a beacon of democracy and the leader of the free world…Ukraine’s long-range capabilities, artillery, and air defense are critical tools for restoring just peace sooner.”
Chief Critic
Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., who voted against the measure, issued a statement saying: “I voted no tonight on the foreign aid package for one simple reason: U.S. taxpayers should not be providing billions more to the extremist Netanyahu government to continue its devastating war against the Palestinian people.” Sen. Jeff Merkley, D-Ore., and Sen. Peter Welch, D-Vt., were the two other progressive lawmakers who voted against the passage of the bill.
Further Reading
Democrats Save Mike Johnson’s Foreign Aid Package—Overcoming Right-Wing Revolt (Forbes)
The House passes billions in aid for Ukraine and Israel after months of struggle (Associated Press)
