UPDATE - US Senate passes $95.3B aid package for Ukraine, Israel, Taiwan

UPDATES WITH REMARKS BY UKRAINIAN PRESIDENT VOLODYMYR ZELENSKYY, HOUSE SPEAKER MIKE JOHNSON

By Alperen Aktas

ISTANBUL (AA) - The US Senate on Tuesday approved a $95.34 billion assistance plan for Ukraine, Israel, and, Taiwan.

The Senate passed the measure by a vote of 70-29, surpassing the required 60-vote threshold required in recent years for approval, but House of Representatives approval is far from certain.

Twenty-two Republicans sided with the majority of Democrats in endorsing the legislation.

The measure includes $60 billion in funding for Ukraine, with another $14 billion to support Israel and US military operations in the region, and more than $8 billion to support US partners in the Indo-Pacific region, including Taiwan.

It would also allot nearly $10 billion for humanitarian efforts in Ukraine, Israel, and Gaza.

The measure faces an uncertain fate in the House of Representatives, which must also pass it for it to become law, along with President Joe Biden’s signature.

Previously Republicans had demanded aid for Ukraine be tied to tighter security on the US-Mexico border, but then reversed their position.

Before the bill's passage by the Senate, House Speaker Mike Johnson wrote dismissively on X: "America deserves better than the Senate’s status quo.”

House Republicans have grown more vocally skeptical of sending more aid to Ukraine, even as US allies in Europe warn that without such aid Russia seems on track to win.

The aid for Israel has also come under fire from prominent lawmakers such as Senator Bernie Sanders asking why the US should send more money to an Israeli government that tries to block a two-state solution and has killed over 28,000 Palestinians in Gaza since last October, and is also standing trial in The Hague for genocide.

Commenting on the bill's Senate passage, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said the decision was awaited not only by Ukraine but also by many other countries, particularly in Europe.

"The world is waiting for American leadership to remain steadfast and help protect lives and preserve freedom. This truly contributes to confidence and motivation ... Thank you to everyone who helps! Thank you to everyone who values life and freedom as much as Ukrainians do!" Zelenskyy said in a video statement on Telegram.

* Burc Eruygur contributed to this story from Istanbul