US Senate's $95 Billion Aid Package for Ukraine, Israel Faces Backlash from the House

In a tight 70-29 vote early Tuesday, the US Senate approved a $95 billion foreign aid package earmarked for Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan, according to ABC News.

However, the fate of this substantial aid proposal now hangs in the balance as it encounters resistance from House Republicans.

A notable aspect of the Senate vote was the departure of 22 Senate Republicans from the party line, breaking ranks with former President Donald Trump, who strongly opposed the US Senate aid package.

In a weekend social media post, Trump advocated for lending money exclusively to foreign allies rather than providing aid.

Despite earlier support for foreign aid, Senator Lindsey Graham voted against the Senate bill, aligning with Trump's stance that any assistance should be in the form of a loan.

This is even though a significant portion of the funds is intended to replenish US arms supplies sent to Ukraine and would benefit American companies.

House Speaker Mike Johnson expressed skepticism about bringing the Senate bill to the floor for debate or a vote, citing the absence of provisions addressing the southern border.

The Senate agreement did not allocate additional funds for the southern border following the collapse of attempts to pair them last week.

Senate Urges House Action

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer swiftly applied pressure on Speaker Mike Johnson to advance the US Senate aid package to the House floor for a vote, per The Hill.

Schumer dismissed Johnson's insistence on tough border reforms as a condition for acceptance.

Schumer emphasized the urgency of the moment, urging the House to "do the right thing and save democracy as we know it."

He expressed confidence in a broad House majority supporting the Senate bill, highlighting the 22 Republican votes it secured in the Senate.

"I will urge Speaker Johnson to step up to the moment and do the right thing," he said.

The US Senate leader dismissed Johnson's demand for enhanced border security measures, emphasizing the bill's majority approval.

Schumer stressed the need for swift aid delivery to Ukraine and urged the House to pass the Senate bill promptly.

Debates Over Border Security and National Debt

The $95 billion foreign aid package, amid a national debt exceeding $34.2 trillion, includes substantial allocations for Ukraine, Israel, and other foreign partners, Fox News noted.

Notably, it lacks provisions for border security, a point of contention for Republicans.

Earlier attempts to pair foreign aid with increased border staffing and other measures failed, with Trump's opposition being a significant factor.

Representatives like Jamie Raskin accused Trump of vetoing the package that included border security, reflecting ongoing disagreements within the GOP.

As debates continue, customs and border protection sources reported a record-breaking 12,000 migrant encounters on a single day in December, placing strain on border towns and cities nationwide.

The House Speaker criticized the funding package for not addressing what he considered the most pressing issue facing the country, further signaling potential hurdles in the House.

The US Senate aid package, designed to counter adversaries such as Iran, Russia, and China, allocates substantial amounts to support Ukraine's fight against Russian aggression, aid Israel's efforts against Hamas, and provide humanitarian assistance in various regions.

The unfolding legislative saga underscores the complex dynamics surrounding foreign aid and domestic priorities in the current political landscape.

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Bert Hoover

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