US Lawmakers Pass Billions in Long-Awaited Aid for Ukraine, Israel to Bolster War Efforts

By Madz Dizon

Apr 21, 2024 03:36 AM EDT

US Lawmakers Pass Billions in Long-Awaited Aid for Ukraine, Israel to Bolster War Efforts — US Speaker of the House Mike Johnson speaks to the press after the House passed a major aid package for Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan and also voted to ban TikTok at the US Capitol in Washington, DC, on April 20, 2024.
(Photo : DREW ANGERER/AFP via Getty Images)

In a rare Saturday session, the House quickly passed $95 billion in foreign aid for Ukraine, Israel, and other US allies, as Democrats and Republicans came together after months of hard-right opposition to increased American help for opposing Russia's incursion.

According to CNN, the $61 billion in aid for Ukraine was approved in minutes by an overwhelming vote, a strong showing as American politicians race to offer a fresh wave of US help to the war-torn ally.

US Approves $61 Billion Aid for Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan

Many Democrats cheered on the House floor and waved Ukraine's blue and yellow flags.

Aid to Israel and its allies was also approved by large margins, as was a move to restrict the popular platform TikTok, with distinct coalitions emerging to push the laws forward.

The entire package now head to the Senate, where it may be passed as soon as Tuesday. President Joe Biden has pledged to sign it immediately.

In a statement, Biden thanked Johnson, Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries, and the bipartisan coalition of lawmakers "who voted to put our national security first."

Zelenskyy: Thank You America

Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy expressed his gratitude to both parties in the House, as well as "personally Speaker Mike Johnson, for the decision that keeps history on the right track" on X, formerly Twitter.

"Thank you, America!" he stated.

The scene in Congress was a dramatic display of movement following months of dysfunction and stalemate caused by Republicans, who have the majority but are profoundly divided on foreign aid, notably for Ukraine.

Johnson depended on Democrats to ensure that the military and humanitarian aid package, Ukraine's first big package since December 2022, was approved.

The unprecedented four-bill package also includes a provision that threatens to ban the Chinese-owned social media app TikTok, as well as the possible transfer of seized Russian assets to Ukraine, Al Jazeera reported.

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