The Republican-controlled U.S. House of Representatives is gearing up for a crucial vote on a $95 billion legislative package that includes security assistance for Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan. Despite facing objections from party hardliners, the House is expected to pass the bill on Saturday.
The measure, which has been in the works for over two months since the Democratic-majority Senate passed a similar version, includes significant funding for Ukraine as it continues to battle a two-year Russian invasion. In addition to aid for Ukraine, the package also allocates funds for Israel, security assistance for Taiwan and allies in the Indo-Pacific, and measures such as sanctions and the potential transfer of seized Russian assets to Ukraine.
House Speaker Mike Johnson, who has faced threats of ouster from hardline members of his party, decided to move forward with the vote despite the opposition. The White House has emphasized the importance of passing this legislation, stating that it would send a powerful message about American leadership on the global stage.
While some Republicans have expressed concerns about the cost of further aid to Ukraine, others, including former President Donald Trump, have voiced support for the bill. The legislation aims to address critical security challenges in the region and provide much-needed assistance to countries facing ongoing conflicts.
With a bipartisan majority in the House backing the bill, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer has urged senators to be prepared to work over the weekend if the legislation passes as expected. The outcome of this vote will have far-reaching implications for U.S. foreign policy and national security efforts.