The President of the U.S, Joe Biden has urged the U.S House of Representatives to quickly work on a foreign aid bill passed by the Senate.
U.S Senate passed the $95bn bill approving aid for Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan on Tuesday, February 13, 2024.
The largest part of the bill; $60 billion, is allotted to help Ukraine restock depleted ammunition supplies, weapons and other crucial needs as it enters a third year of war.
In addition, the legislation would provide $14 billion for Israel’s war with Hamas, $8 billion for Taiwan and partners in the Indo-Pacific to counter China, and $9.2 billion in humanitarian assistance for Gaza.
The legislation is now headed to the Republican-controlled House of Representatives, where its chances of becoming law are slim as House Speaker, Mike Johnson has already rejected it.
He noted that the bill is critical to advancing America’s national security interests.
“I applaud the bipartisan coalition of senators who came together to advance this agreement, and I urge the House to move on this with urgency,” He noted.
Biden asserted that the bill will allow the United States to continue vital work, “together with our allies and partners all around the world, to stand up for Ukraine’s freedom and support its ability to defend itself against Russia’s aggression.”
He added that it will provide Israel with what it needs to protect its people against Hamas terrorists.
“Significantly, this agreement will provide life-saving humanitarian assistance for the Palestinian people, the vast majority of whom have nothing to do with Hamas,” Biden stated.
“We cannot afford to wait any longer. The costs of inaction are rising every day, especially in Ukraine. Already, we are seeing reports of Ukrainian troops running out of ammunition on the front lines as Russian forces continue to attack and Putin continues to dream of subjugating the Ukrainian people.”
Joe Biden
Also, Biden refuted claims that American leadership our alliances and partnerships with countries around the world do not matter. “They do,” he said.
“If we do not stand against tyrants who seek to conquer or carve up their neighbours’ territory, the consequences for America’s national security will be significant. Our allies and adversaries alike will take note,” Biden stated.
He averred, “It is time for the House to take action and send this bipartisan legislation to my desk immediately so that I can sign it into law.”
Schumer Hails Bill
Chuck Schumer, Democratic Majority leader in the U.S Senate, saluted the passage of the national security bill in remarks to reporters on Capitol Hill.
“Today, the Senate made sure that the United States is closer to meeting the monumental and consequential moment that we are in,” Schumer noted.
“Now, it’s up to the House to meet this moment, to do the right thing and save democracy as we know it,” he said.
“This bill passed with a robust majority,” Schumer said, adding, “We need to get to Ukraine quickly … and the quickest and best way to do that is with passing the Senate bill.
In a memo, White House Deputy Press Secretary, Andrew Bates, said, “Today, the Senate just voted to move forward on many of the most pressing needs of the American people.”
“The onus is now on the House to do the same. This is a high stakes moment for American families. It’s also a high stakes moment for House Republicans, because the choice is stark.
“Will House Republicans side with President Biden and senators on both sides of the aisle in supporting American national security? Or will House Republicans, in the name of politics, side with Vladimir Putin and the regime in Tehran?
Andrew Bates
“The House GOP cannot lose sight of this binary choice,” he added.
He added, “It would be devastating to undercut American national security by voting against our interests and values.”
