In a planned move by the Republican-dominated US House of Representatives, a vote will be held this Saturday on a security assistance package worth $95 billion for Ukraine, Taiwan, and Israel. Despite defiance from staunch party followers, the legislation is predicted to gain approval.
Over two months have passed since a similar motion was accepted by the Democrat-led Senate. Democratic President Joe Biden and Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell amongst other US leaders have persistently urged Mike Johnson, the disputed Speaker of the House, to allow a vote.
Ignoring warnings of dismissal targeted at his precarious 218-213 majority from hardliners within his party, Johnson chose to push forward this week with the proposal. This includes approximately $60.84 billion (€57 billion) dedicated to Ukraine, which has been battling a Russian incursion for two years.
The extraordinary four-bill package also makes provision for Israel and Taiwan’s security assistance, allies in the Indo-Pacific, and a measure encapsulating sanctions, a potential ban on the Chinese-owned social network TikTok, and a possible relocation of confiscated Russian assets to Ukraine.
In a statement delivered on Friday, the White House said, “The eyes of the world are on Congress’s actions. This legislation’s approval would signal a strong message about American leadership at a critical time. The administration is urging both congressional houses to expeditiously send this supplemental funding package to the president’s desk.”
On Friday, a bill advancing vote was supported by a 316-94 bipartisan majority in the House. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer advised senators to be prepared to work throughout the weekend if the House approves it.
Johnson shared with the press on Friday, “While this isn’t flawless legislation or the bill we would have drafted had Republicans controlled the House, Senate, and White House, it’s the best outcome we could achieve under these circumstances to fulfil these pressing obligations.”
Some ultraconservative Republicans have vociferously opposed additional aid to Ukraine. They argue that the ballooning national debt of $34 trillion is something the US can ill-afford. The risk of Johnson’s removal, who succeeded Kevin McCarthy as the speaker last October after his predecessor was ousted by party hardliners, remains.
In an interview with journalists on Friday, Bob Good, who is at the helm of the stringent House Freedom Caucus, expressed his concern that the proposed legislations symbolise a downfall into a deeper financial crisis and foster a sense of US insignificance, an approach he believes mirrors the policies of Biden, Schumer, and Hakeem Jeffries, the House Democratic leader. He argues these do not resonate with the interests of US citizens.
However, former Republican presidential nominee, Donald Trump, who holds considerable sway within the party, stated on April 12th that he supports Johnson and emphasised the importance of Ukraine’s survival for America in a recent Thursday social media update.
The proposed legislations aim to allocate a fund of $60.84 billion (approx. €57 billion) to tackle the Ukraine conflict. The budget includes $23 billion (around €21.6 billion) for the restoration of US weaponry, stockpiles, and facilities, $26 billion (nearly €24.4 billion) for Israel, incorporating $9.1 billion (about €8.5 billion) towards humanitarian needs, and an allotment of $8.12 billion (approx. €7.6 billion) intended for the Indo-Pacific.
– Reuters
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