The US Senate approved a $95 billion aid package for Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan

The Senate approved $95 billion in military aid for Ukraine, Israel, Taiwan and the United States’ partners in the Indo-Pacific region. So they are sending the legislation to President Joe Biden for approval after months of delay and debate over how far Washington should be involved in foreign wars. A 79-18 vote approved four bills passed by the House of Representatives on Saturday after House Republican leaders reversed course last week and allowed a vote on the aid. The largest part of the package provides $61 billion in critically needed funding for Ukraine; the second earmarks $26 billion for Israel and humanitarian aid for civilians in conflict zones around the world, and the third authorizes more than $8 billion for “countering Communist China” in the Indo-Pacific region.

Tonight we tell our allies that we stand with them. We say to our adversaries: Don’t play with us. We have proven to the world that the United States will do anything to protect democracy and our way of life.

Chuck Schumer, Senate Majority Leader

The influx of weapons should improve Kiev’s chances of preventing a major eastward push by Moscow, although analysts say it would have been more helpful if the aid had come closer to when Biden requested it last year. The fourth piece, which the House of Representatives added to the package last week, includes a potential ban on the Chinese-controlled social media app TikTok, measures to transfer seized Russian assets to Ukraine and new sanctions against Iran.