The Senate is set to work on a foreign aid package for Ukraine and Israel, following approval by the House over the weekend. The $95 billion package includes aid for Ukraine, support for Israel, humanitarian aid for Gaza, and assistance for allies in the Indo-Pacific. Provisions in the package allow for the sale of frozen assets of Russian oligarchs to fund future aid to Ukraine and include a measure that could force the sale of TikTok or ban the app in the US. The Senate is expected to pass the package, which will then go to the president’s desk for approval.
The White House and Congress have been working on approving foreign aid since last fall, with this week’s actions expected to bring the effort to a close. Former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy initially tied Ukraine aid to border security measures, stalling progress on the aid package. A bipartisan group of senators negotiated an aid package with border security provisions, but Republicans largely rejected it at the insistence of former President Donald Trump. The aid package was passed in the Senate without the immigration components, and the House finally approved a similar package over the weekend.
The aid package gained urgency following an airstrike by Iran against Israel and dire shortages in Ukraine during its conflict with Russia. Speaker Mike Johnson, who initially voted against Ukraine aid, changed his stance and expressed the importance of the aid. However, the aid caused controversy among far-right conservatives and may impact Johnson’s standing within his conference. The Senate previously approved a similar foreign aid package earlier this year, suggesting that the current package will find support in the Senate.
While the Senate is expected to pass the aid package quickly, there are potential threats to slow its approval. Senator Rand Paul may seek to delay the package’s passage, as he did in February. The inclusion of a TikTok provision in the package could also face opposition from some senators. However, the majority of Democrats and a significant portion of Republicans are likely to support the package. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer assured allies around the world that the Senate is on track to pass the aid package soon.
In conclusion, the Senate is set to approve a foreign aid package for Ukraine and Israel, following the House’s approval over the weekend. The aid package includes assistance for Ukraine, support for Israel, humanitarian aid for Gaza, and provisions to fund aid through the sale of Russian oligarchs’ frozen assets. Despite potential threats to slow its approval, the Senate is expected to pass the aid package, bringing an end to a months-long process of negotiations and disputes over foreign aid.
