President Biden commended the Senate for approving a $95 billion emergency foreign assistance package. He stated that he would endorse the law on Wednesday at the White House.
“The Congress has passed my law to enhance our national security and express America's powerful leadership. We firmly support democracy and freedom, and oppose tyranny and oppression,” Biden expressed in a statement.
The Senate, with a vote of 79-18, endorsed a package including $61 billion for Ukraine, $15 billion in military aid for Israel, $9 billion in humanitarian aid for Gaza and other war-torn regions and $8 billion in security assistance to deter Chinese aggression in the Indo-Pacific.
The law also contains provisions to compel the Chinese owner of TikTok to divest from the popular app, used by over 140 million Americans, or face a ban in the United States.
The president mentioned that he would give a speech and approve the law on Wednesday, enabling the U.S. to start delivering new weapons and equipment to Ukraine this week.
“I want to thank Leader Schumer, Leader McConnell, and all of the bipartisan lawmakers in the Senate who voted for this law,” Biden expressed. “This crucial legislation will enhance the security of our nation and the world as we assist our allies defending themselves against groups like Hamas and leaders like Putin.”
The White House had urged lawmakers for months to authorize additional aid for Ukraine, particularly in its fight against Russian aggression, but some conservative Republicans had resisted providing more aid to Kyiv.
