Legislation belatedly approved by the House of Representatives on Saturday that would provide tens of billions of dollars in security assistance to Ukraine, Taiwan, and Israel is on its way to President Joe Biden’s desk this evening after a bipartisan majority of the Senate voted for its passage, handing the Biden-Harris administration and U.S. allies on the other sides of the Pacific and Atlantic oceans a long-sought win.
“Tonight, a bipartisan majority in the Senate joined the House to answer history’s call at this critical inflection point,” said President Biden in a statement released by the White House. “Congress has passed my legislation to strengthen our national security and send a message to the world about the power of American leadership: we stand resolutely for democracy and freedom, and against tyranny and oppression.”
“I will sign this bill into law and address the American people as soon as it reaches my desk tomorrow so we can begin sending weapons and equipment to Ukraine this week. The need is urgent: for Ukraine, facing unrelenting bombardment from Russia; for Israel, which just faced unprecedented attacks from Iran; for refugees and those impacted by conflicts and natural disasters around the world, including in Gaza, Sudan, and Haiti; and for our partners seeking security and stability in the Indo-Pacific.”
“I want to thank Leader Schumer, Leader McConnell, and all of the bipartisan lawmakers in the Senate who voted for this bill. This critical legislation will make our nation and world more secure as we support our friends who are defending themselves against terrorists like Hamas and tyrants like Putin.”
“This package makes clear that Congress understands that the conflict in Ukraine is not disjointed from future aggression by the Chinese Communist Party,” said Washington’s senior United States Senator Patty Murray in floor remarks. Murray chairs the Senate’s powerful Appropriations Committee and also serves as Senate President Pro Tempore.
“From the beginning, I was clear — the challenges we face around the world are interconnected, we have to deliver a comprehensive package — half steps won’t cut it. This package ensures America keeps it word to all its allies — and stands by all of its commitments.”
Humanitarian aid was an essential part of the package, Murray’s office emphasized.
“And especially important to me: in passing this package, we do not lose sight of the human reality on the ground — the fact that in the middle of every conflict, are civilians—people displaced from their homes, people facing obstacles getting basic medical services, and kids and families who desperately need food and water. I made certain, at every step, that this bill delivers badly needed humanitarian assistance — for Gaza, Sudan, Ukraine, and so many other regions caught in conflict,” Murray added.
“This supplemental will supply Ukraine with desperately needed equipment, and weapons, and training, and logistics,” said Murray’s seatmate, Senator Maria Cantwell.
“For two years, the Ukrainian people have shown courage and resilience, enabling them to resist Russian aggression,” Cantwell declared. “It would be disastrous for our national security — and for democracy and human rights — if we had not supported them.”
“The supplemental also includes support for our Middle East ally, Israel, including […] $9 billion of humanitarian aid for Gaza, and for people caught in conflicts around the world. These conflicts have taken an immeasurable toll on the Palestinian and Ukrainian people,” Senator Cantwell continued. “This package also includes over $8 billion to support Taiwan and other Indo-Pacific allies in a critical part of the world where we stand shoulder to shoulder with these democracies.”
“It is shameful that House Republicans slow-walked vital aid to America’s allies and partners and humanitarian relief for worsening conflicts, but I’m glad it finally will be going to the president’s desk,” said Oregon’s senior United States Senator Ron Wyden.
“This measure shows America is still a world leader, and I believe this aid will hasten the end of the wars in Israel and Ukraine,” Wyden added.
“I’m glad that this package also includes the bipartisan FEND OFF Fentanyl Act, which will help our country fight the scourge of fentanyl by disrupting illicit opioid supply chains and sanctioning transnational criminal organizations. Oregonians know that the addiction crisis in our country has reached unprecedented levels, and it’s high time that Congress crack down on illicit traffickers.”
Wyden was critical of the portion of the bill aimed at ByteDance-owned TikTok.
“I have serious concerns about any app that gives unfriendly foreign governments access to Americans’ private data, and I believe there is a legitimate security risk caused by TikTok’s relationship to its China-based corporate parent,” Wyden said.
“However, I remain concerned that this bill could have negative effects on free speech around the world, does too little to protect Americans’ privacy from being sold to China through third parties, and provides broad authority that could be abused by a future administration to violate Americans’ First Amendment rights. I plan to watchdog how this legislation is implemented, and will blow the whistle if the executive branch oversteps beyond the purpose of the bill.”
Cantwell has also been very skeptical of the House’s legislation targeting TikTok, and has been preventing the swift advance of a standalone bill on the same subject through the U.S. Senate. But now it will reach Biden’s desk — with Cantwell and Wyden’s yea votes — thanks to its inclusion in a must-pass security assistance bill.
Wyden’s seatmate Jeff Merkley said he could not vote for the bill due to the appropriations that critics say will enable Benjamin Netanyahu’s government to continue obliterating Gaza and oppressing the Palestinian people.
“This bill has multiple important elements I strongly support, including providing critical aid to Ukraine in the face of Vladimir Putin’s unprovoked invasion,” said Merkley in a lengthy statement explaining his position and reasoning.
“Ukraine is a democratic republic defending itself against an invading authoritarian dictatorship. We must continue to partner with Europe and other allies to stand with the Ukrainian people and sustain the supply of ammunition and weapons Ukraine needs in defense of its democracy. Had the Senate had the opportunity to consider support for Ukraine as a separate bill, as the House did, I would have voted in favor.”
“I also support other elements of the bill, including the FEND Off Fentanyl Act to help tackle the flow of fentanyl into our communities, international humanitarian aid, and assistance to strengthen security in the Indo-Pacific.
“I supported Israel going after Hamas following the horrific attack on October 7th and passionately support every effort America and other nations are making to free all hostages. In addition, I support the aid to Israel for defensive weapons including Iron Dome, David’s Sling, and Iron Beam.”
“The section of this bill I cannot support, however, is the funding and delivery of more offensive military weaponry to Israel at a time when Israel is using American weapons in what President Biden has called an ‘indiscriminate’ campaign of bombing. That campaign has killed more than 34,000 Palestinians, including more than 24,000 women and children. It has also pushed Gaza to the brink of famine with 1.1 million Palestinians facing catastrophic levels of food insecurity. Hamas is Israel’s enemy. Palestinian civilians are not the enemy.”
“President Biden has repeatedly and urgently called on Prime Minister Netanyahu to adopt a much more targeted campaign against Hamas and to dramatically expand the supply of food, water, medicine, and shelter needed to address the cascading humanitarian disaster generated by Israel’s campaign. Indeed, American law requires recipients of American assistance to facilitate the delivery of humanitarian aid. Netanyahu, however, has made only minor adjustments in response.”
“In addition, President Biden has asked Israel not to unleash a ground invasion of the city of Rafah in southern Gaza, which has swollen from a pre-war population of 275,000 to more than one million people as it accommodates an enormous flow of refugees from areas bombed to the north. But the Israeli military continues to conduct airstrikes and raids on Rafah, and Netanyahu continues to publicly insist that Israel will launch a military offensive on the city, which will magnify civilian casualties among a population that has nowhere left to go.”
“The campaign conducted by the Netanyahu government is at odds with our American values and American law. Thus, I will vote against the supplemental funding bill.”
In so many ways, Senator Merkley has proven himself to the conscience of the Senate, assuming a role that in the past belonged to greats like Paul Wellstone of Minnesota. We appreciate that Senator Merkley took the time to explain his thinking and detail his principled stance. That’s what real leadership looks like. Merkley knew he could vote against the package without derailing it, given that it appeared to be on track to pass with a huge majority.
The roll call from the Pacific Northwest was as follows:
Voting Yea on the Motion to Concur in the House Amendment to the Senate Amendment to H.R. 815: Democratic Senators Patty Murray and Maria Cantwell (WA), Ron Wyden (OR), Jon Tester (MT), Republican Senators Mike Crapo and Jim Risch (ID), Steve Daines (MT), Lisa Murkowski and Dan Sullivan (AK)
Voting Nay on the Motion: Democratic Senator Jeff Merkley (OR)
Merkley and Senator Peter Welch of Vermont were the only Democratic senators to oppose the bill. Independent Senator Bernie Sanders of Vermont joined them in opposition.
The following Republicans voted nay as well, but for different reasons:
- John Barrasso (R‑WY)
- Marsha Blackburn (R‑TN)
- Mike Braun (R‑IN)
- Ted Budd (R‑NC)
- Ted Cruz (R‑TX)
- Bill Hagerty (R‑TN)
- Josh Hawley (R‑MO)
- Ron Johnson (R‑WI)
- Mike Lee (R‑UT)
- Cynthia Lummis (R‑WY)
- Roger Marshall (R‑KS)
- Marco Rubio (R‑FL)
- Eric Schmitt (R‑MO)
- Rick Scott (R‑FL)
- J.D. Vance (R‑OH)
Republicans Rand Paul, Tommy Tuberville, and Tim Scott missed the vote.
President Zelensky and Ukrainian leaders reacted positively to the passage of the package.
“I am grateful to the United States Senate for approving vital aid to Ukraine today,” said Zelensky. “I thank Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and Republican Leader Mitch McConnell for their strong leadership in advancing this bipartisan legislation, as well as all US Senators on both sides of the aisle who voted in favor of it. This vote reinforces America’s role as a beacon of democracy and the leader of the free world.”
“I am also grateful to all Americans who continue to support Ukraine and recognize that the historical significance of this bill extends beyond politics. I equally appreciate President Biden’s support and look forward to the bill being signed soon and the next military aid package matching the resoluteness that I always see in our negotiations. Ukraine’s long-range capabilities, artillery, and air defense are critical tools for restoring just peace sooner.”
Privately, Zelensky and his commanders have been concerned for some time that the aid won’t reach Ukraine in time to prevent Vladimir Putin’s regime from seriously weakening their battlefield position. The House spent months dithering before new Speaker Mike Johnson finally put Ukraine aid up for a vote. That wasn’t helpful.
As Politico Europe’s opinion editor Jamie Dettmer noted: “[T]he pressing question is just how fast materiel, arms and ammunition — especially artillery shells and air defense systems — will actually arrive. Will it all come in the nick of time, ahead of an expected Russian offensive this June or July, which Ukrainian commanders fear could punch holes in Ukraine’s front lines? And if so, what happens after?”
“The truth is, it remains unclear whether it will take days, weeks or months for the kit to arrive at the front lines. And it all partly depends on how much has been pre-positioned in Europe in anticipation of the U.S. Congress approving the package, as the Pentagon had been making reassuring noises that it was stockpiling kit ahead of the vote.”
Ukraine did need Congress’ help sooner, but it’ll take what it can get, considering that the likes of Marjorie Taylor Greene are in the caucus that narrowly controls the United States House of Representatives.