In a historic move, the House is set to approve $95 billion in foreign aid for Ukraine, Israel, and other U.S. allies in a rare Saturday session. This bipartisan effort comes after months of intense debate over American support for repelling Russia’s invasion into Ukraine.
House Speaker Mike Johnson, facing pressure from both Democrats and Republicans, has pushed for a series of votes on aid bills to support Ukraine and other allies. The passage of this aid package would be a significant victory for President Joe Biden, who has been advocating for increased support for Ukraine since October.
The delay in approving this aid has raised questions about America’s commitment to its allies and has left many world leaders, including Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, pleading with lawmakers to act.
The aid package includes provisions to support Ukraine, Israel, and the Indo-Pacific region, as well as provide humanitarian assistance to civilians in conflict zones like Gaza, Haiti, and Sudan. However, the vote is expected to create unusual alliances in the House, with progressive Democrats likely to oppose aid for Israel due to ongoing conflicts in Gaza.
Despite challenges from within his own party, Speaker Johnson remains determined to see the aid package through. The legislation includes Republican priorities that Democrats are willing to accept, reflecting a bipartisan effort to address global challenges.
As the situation in Ukraine remains dire, lawmakers are under pressure to act swiftly to provide the necessary support. The passage of this aid package is seen as a crucial step in halting Russian aggression in Europe and supporting America’s allies in times of need.