The US House of Representatives has approved $95bn in foreign aid for Ukraine, Israel and other US allies after months of hard-right resistance over renewed American support for repelling Russia’s invasion.
The voting which was concluded on Saturday comes more than two months after the Democratic-majority Senate passed a similar.
Democratic President Joe Biden and top Senate Republican Mitch McConnell, along with other US leaders, had been pressuring Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson to bring the bill up for a vote. With the Senate expected to pass the measure next week, it will then head to Biden’s desk to be signed into law.
The legislation allocates approximately $61 billion to address the conflict in Ukraine, with $23 billion designated to replenish US weapons, stocks, and facilities. Additionally, $26 billion is allocated for Israel, including $9 billion for humanitarian needs, while $8 billion is earmarked for the Asia Pacific region, including Taiwan.
Volodymyr Zelenskiy, the Ukrainian president, said he was “grateful” to both parties in the House and “personally Speaker Mike Johnson for the decision that keeps history on the right track”.
“Democracy and freedom will always have global significance and will never fail as long as America helps to protect it. The vital US aid bill passed today by the House will keep the war from expanding, save thousands and thousands of lives, and help both of our nations to become stronger … Thank you, America!”
Sergii Marchenko, the Ukrainian finance minister, pointed to the legislation’s provision for budget support.
“This is the extraordinary support we need to maintain financial stability and prevail,” he wrote on X.
YOU MAY ALSO READ:Â Tragic Sri Lanka motor race accident leaves seven dead as car veers off track