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By Jonathan GoetzPhoto: C-Span screenshot of Biden after bill signing
April 24, 2024 (San Diego) –"It's a good day for American, it's a good day for Europe, it's a good day for world peace, President Joe Biden said today, upon signing foreign aid and national security legislation. He added that arms shipments to Ukraine for its defense against Russia would be sent within hours.
The U.S. House of Representatives on Saturday passed the $95 billion foreign aid package that provides assistance to Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan, as well as various national security priorities. The Senate approved the package yesterday, advancing it to the President for signature.
The entire San Diego Congressional Delegation voted "yea" on all three aid portions, but Congressmembers Sara Jacobs and Juan Vargas voted "nay" on the national security provisions that include a potential TikTok ban, while Congressmembers Darrel Issa, Mike Levin and Scott Peters all voted "yea."
Aid to Ukraine: The measure passed with a 311-112 vote, with a majority of Republicans opposing. The aid package allocates $60.84 billion to address the conflict in Ukraine. This includes $23 billion to replenish U.S. weapons, stocks, and facilities.
Aid to Israel and Gaza: The vote on assistance to Israel and humanitarian aid for Gaza was 366-58. Israel will receive $26.4 billion in aid. Of this amount, $9.1 billion is designated for humanitarian needs.
Aid to Taiwan: The vote on aid to Taiwan was 385-34. This bill was designed to provide aid to Taiwan. The Indo-Pacific, including Taiwan, will receive $8.12 billion in aid.
National Security Priorities: This bill included other national security priorities, such as requiring TikTok’s Chinese corporate owner to divest or have the popular app banned in U.S. app stores, a provision to help pay for aid by using seized Russian assets, sanctions, and other measures to confront Russia, China, and Iran. The modified measure passed by a 360-58 vote in the House.
While President Joe Biden has been urging Congress to pass this aid package for at least six months, it faced some challenges along the way. House Republicans for months refused to allow a vote on the matters, fueled by far-right party members opposed to aiding Ukraine.
Recent events, including Iran’s attack on Israel, influenced the decision by Speaker Mike Johnson to move forward with the aid package, which passed with help from Democrats and some Republicans.
Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., nicknamed “Moscow Marjorie” by tabloids, said that Americans “don’t support a business model built on blood and murder and war in foreign countries while this very government does nothing to secure our borders,” she said. “America last. That’s all this is.” Greene has threatened to bring a motion to remove Johnson as Speaker over his actions on the aid and security measures.
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., pushed back against Greene. Jeffries stated that for months, “the national security priorities of the American people have been obstructed by pro-Putin extremists determined to let Russia win... A bipartisan coalition of Democrats and Republicans has risen up to work together and ensure that we are getting the national security legislation important to the American people over the finish line.”
The House package closely resembles a bill previously passed by the Senate in February. Notably, House Republicans added a fourth bill that includes other GOP priorities, such as sanctions on Iran and a measure that could lead to a TikTok ban unless the popular app’s owner, a Chinese tech firm, divests from the company.
Both California Senators Alex Padilla and Laphonza Butler voted for the revised package yesterday in the United States Senate, prior to today's signing by President Biden.
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