In a surprising turn of events, the Senate passed a massive $95 billion aid package for Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan, despite opposition from 18 senators. The bill, which also includes a provision to force the sale of TikTok, has exposed deep divisions within both the Democratic and Republican parties. As the legislation heads to President Biden’s desk, the nation watches with bated breath.
Senate Passes $95 Billion Aid Package Amidst Controversy
The Senate has approved a sweeping $95 billion aid package that includes support for Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan. The bill also contains a measure that would compel TikTok’s Chinese parent company to sell off the popular app. While the legislation passed with a significant bipartisan margin, 15 Republicans and three Democrats voted against it, highlighting the contentious nature of the package.
The aid package, which has been delayed for months, faced opposition from Republicans who have long been against assisting Ukraine. Some Democrats, on the other hand, took issue with the lack of conditions placed on the aid to Israel. The bill’s passage marks the end of a lengthy battle in Congress over foreign aid and border policy.
House Takes Separate Votes on Bill Components
Before the Senate vote, the House took a unique approach to the legislation. Speaker Mike Johnson devised a plan to hold separate votes on four individual components of the bill, a move that appeased Republicans and garnered praise from progressive Democrats. The House voted on a $61 billion Ukraine aid bill, a $26 billion Israel aid bill, Taiwan aid, and a combined bill addressing TikTok and Russian asset seizure.
The separate votes in the House revealed the extent of the divisions within both parties. 37 House Democrats voted against the Israel aid, while 112 House Republicans opposed the Ukraine aid. Remarkably, 21 House Republicans voted against both packages, showcasing the deep-seated disagreements on foreign aid within the GOP.
Bill Mirrors Previous Senate-Approved Aid Package
The $95 billion aid package closely resembles a $95.3 billion package that the Senate approved in February, shortly after a bipartisan border deal fell apart due to opposition from former President Donald Trump and other congressional Republicans. Most Republican senators, along with three Democrats, had voted against that earlier package.
However, many of the Republicans who previously opposed the aid package, such as Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina, decided to support the new bill on Tuesday. This change in stance helped bring an end to the months-long fight in Congress over foreign aid and border policy, which had exposed significant rifts within both the Democratic and Republican parties.
Three Democratic Senators Vote Against the Bill
While the vast majority of the Democratic caucus supported the aid package, three senators broke ranks and voted against the legislation. Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont, Sen. Jeff Merkley of Oregon, and Sen. Peter Welch of Vermont all cast their votes in opposition to the bill.
The reasons behind their dissenting votes have not been explicitly stated, but they likely share some of the concerns expressed by the 37 House Democrats who voted against the Israel aid portion of the package. The lack of conditions placed on the assistance to Israel has been a point of contention for some progressive Democrats.
15 Republican Senators Oppose the Aid Package
On the Republican side, 15 senators voted against the $95 billion aid package. Among them were Sen. John Barrasso of Wyoming, Sen. Marsha Blackburn of Tennessee, Sen. Mike Braun of Indiana, Sen. Ted Budd of North Carolina, and Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas.
Other notable Republican senators who opposed the bill include Sen. Bill Hagerty of Tennessee, Sen. Josh Hawley of Missouri, Sen. Ron Johnson of Wisconsin, Sen. Mike Lee of Utah, and Sen. Cynthia Lummis of Wyoming. These senators have consistently voiced their opposition to providing aid to Ukraine, citing concerns over the cost and the need to focus on domestic issues.
More Republican Senators Join in Opposition
The list of Republican senators who voted against the aid package continues with Sen. Roger Marshall of Kansas, Sen. Marco Rubio of Florida, Sen. Eric Schmitt of Missouri, Sen. Rick Scott of Florida, and Sen. JD Vance of Ohio. Their votes reflect the growing divide within the Republican Party over foreign aid and the country’s role on the global stage.
The opposition from these Republican senators highlights the challenges that the Biden administration faces in garnering bipartisan support for its foreign policy initiatives. The fact that 15 Republican senators voted against the package, despite the inclusion of aid for Israel and Taiwan, shows the depth of the resistance to assisting Ukraine within the GOP.
TikTok Sale Provision Adds to the Controversy
In addition to the foreign aid components, the $95 billion package also includes a provision that would force TikTok’s Chinese parent company to sell off the popular app. This measure has added another layer of controversy to the already contentious legislation.
The inclusion of the TikTok sale provision in the aid package has drawn criticism from some lawmakers who argue that it is unrelated to the core purpose of the bill. However, supporters of the measure contend that it is necessary to address national security concerns surrounding the app’s ties to China.
Divisions Within the Democratic Party Come to Light
While the opposition to the aid package from Republican senators was expected, the fact that three Democratic senators voted against the bill highlights the divisions within the Democratic Party. The dissenting votes from Sen. Bernie Sanders, Sen. Jeff Merkley, and Sen. Peter Welch reveal the growing tension between the party’s progressive and moderate wings.
The lack of conditions placed on the aid to Israel has been a major point of contention for progressive Democrats, who have called for a more balanced approach to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The fact that 37 House Democrats voted against the Israel aid portion of the package underscores the depth of this division within the party.
Implications for U.S. Foreign Policy
The passage of the $95 billion aid package, despite the opposition from 18 senators, has significant implications for U.S. foreign policy. The bill provides much-needed support for Ukraine as it continues to face Russian aggression, while also reaffirming the United States’ commitment to its allies in Israel and Taiwan.
However, the divisions within both the Democratic and Republican parties over foreign aid and the country’s role on the global stage could make it more difficult for the Biden administration to pursue its foreign policy agenda in the future. The administration will need to navigate these divisions carefully as it seeks to build consensus around its international priorities.
The TikTok Controversy Continues
The inclusion of the TikTok sale provision in the aid package has ensured that the controversy surrounding the popular app will continue. The measure has drawn criticism from some lawmakers who argue that it is an overreach of government power and could set a dangerous precedent for the regulation of social media platforms.
Supporters of the provision, however, maintain that it is necessary to protect national security and to prevent the Chinese government from using the app to gather data on American citizens. The debate over TikTok is likely to intensify in the coming months as the implementation of the sale provision moves forward.
The Road Ahead for Foreign Aid
The passage of the $95 billion aid package marks a significant milestone in the ongoing debate over U.S. foreign aid. While the bill provides much-needed support for key allies and partners, the opposition from 18 senators highlights the challenges that the Biden administration will face in securing funding for future foreign aid initiatives.
As the United States seeks to maintain its global leadership role and counter the influence of rivals such as Russia and China, the question of foreign aid will remain a contentious issue in Washington. The administration will need to work closely with lawmakers from both parties to build support for its foreign aid priorities and to ensure that the United States can continue to support its allies and partners around the world.
The Impact on U.S.-Israel Relations
The inclusion of more than $26 billion in aid to Israel in the $95 billion package has significant implications for U.S.-Israel relations. While the aid reaffirms the United States’ strong commitment to Israel’s security, the lack of conditions placed on the assistance has drawn criticism from some lawmakers and advocacy groups.
The debate over U.S. aid to Israel is likely to continue in the coming months, as progressive Democrats push for a more balanced approach to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and greater accountability for Israel’s actions in the occupied territories. The Biden administration will need to navigate these tensions carefully as it seeks to maintain strong ties with Israel while also addressing the concerns of its critics.
The Future of U.S.-Taiwan Relations
The inclusion of aid to Taiwan in the $95 billion package is a clear signal of the United States’ support for the island nation in the face of increasing pressure from China. The aid comes at a time of heightened tensions in the Taiwan Strait, as China has stepped up its military activities in the region and has repeatedly threatened to use force to bring Taiwan under its control.
The U.S. aid to Taiwan is likely to further strain relations between Washington and Beijing, which views the island as a breakaway province that must be reunited with the mainland. The Biden administration will need to carefully balance its support for Taiwan with its desire to maintain stable relations with China, as both countries seek to navigate an increasingly complex and volatile geopolitical landscape.
