Senate passes $95 billion aid package for Ukraine, Israel, but tough path ahead in House

The Senate approved a $95 billion aid package for Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan with a vote of 70-29 early Tuesday. However, the fate of the bill in the House is now uncertain.

Twenty-two Senate Republicans voted in favor of the aid, which includes $60 billion for Ukraine, defying the strong opposition from former President Donald Trump.

Trump criticized the foreign aid bill in a social media post over the weekend, asserting that the United States should only provide loans to foreign allies, ABC News reported.

Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., who had previously supported the aid, voted against the bill on Tuesday, echoing Trump’s stance that such aid should be in the form of a loan, despite much of the funds going to replenish U.S. arms supplies sent to Ukraine.

House Speaker Mike Johnson hinted in a statement on Monday night that he might not bring the Senate bill to the floor for debate or a vote.

His reluctance stems from the bill’s omission of additional funding for the southern border, as attempts to link the two issues fell through last week in the Senate agreement.

Written by B.C. Begley