Biden signs into law $95bln aid bill to Ukraine, 'Israel', Taiwan
4 Min Read
The bill includes $60.8 billion for Ukraine, $26.3 billion for "Israel" and controversially for humanitarian relief for civilians, and $8.1bln for the Indo-Pacific region against China.
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President Joe Biden speaks to the North America's Building Trade Union National Legislative Conference, on Wednesday, April 24, 2024, in Washington. (AP)
US President Joe Biden just signed a $95 billion bill of foreign aid to Ukraine, "Israel", and Taiwan on a day which he called a “good day for world peace," following the Senate's passing of the measure in a 79-18 vote on Tuesday night.
After signing the bill, in his speech, Biden said, “It’s going to make America safer. It’s going to make the world safer,” adding, “It was a difficult path... It should have been easier and it should have gotten there sooner. But in the end, we did what America always does. We rose to the moment, came together, and we got it done.”
The bill includes $60.8 billion for Ukraine, $26.3 billion for "Israel" and controversially for humanitarian relief for civilians, and $8.1 billion for the Indo-Pacific region against China.
Biden did not spare a moment to call out “MAGA Republicans” for attempting to block the aid package as well, while he rejected claims that Ukraine is in a losing position, calling it a “fighting force with the will and the skill to win."
“If [Vladimir] Putin triumphs in Ukraine, the next move of Russian forces could very well be a direct attack on a Nato ally,” he said, noting, “We’d have no choice but to come to their aid, just like our Nato allies came to our aid after the September 11 attacks.”
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Biden called the $95 billion bill an investment in the US industrial base, which means amping up the production of military equipment in states like Alabama, Arizona, Ohio, and Pennsylvania.
Following news of the bill's passing, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky took to X to express gratitude to his ally.
“I am grateful to the United States Senate for approving vital aid to Ukraine today,” he wrote. “Ukraine’s long-range capabilities, artillery, and air defense are critical tools for restoring just peace sooner.”
I am grateful to the United States Senate for approving vital aid to Ukraine today.
— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) April 24, 2024
I thank Majority Leader Chuck Schumer @SenSchumer and Republican Leader Mitch McConnell @LeaderMcConnell for their strong leadership in advancing this bipartisan legislation, as well as all US…
The Pentagon has already revealed intentions to “surge” $1 billion in new military assistance to Ukraine, which includes air defense interceptors, artillery rounds, armored vehicles, and anti-tank weapons.
Today's American military aid package for Ukraine is vital.
— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) April 24, 2024
I thank all Americans who work in defense enterprises and every state that manufactures weapons that are now really protecting democracy and our way of life. All of the current cooperation between Ukraine and the… pic.twitter.com/PSWrVh0xU4
In turn, Hamas condemned "in the strongest terms" the US House of Representatives bill to provide $26.4 billion in military and security funds to the Israeli occupation entity.
The Resistance movement considered this step as a "confirmation of American official complicity and partnership in the genocide war being waged by the fascist occupation army on the Gaza Strip."
Hamas also held the US administration responsible, and President Joe Biden personally, for the political, legal, and moral accountability for the Israeli war crimes, pointing out that "the American support is a license and a green light for the extremist Zionist government to continue its brutal aggression, blatant violation of international laws, and all humanitarian norms."
According to three surveys done exclusively for Newsweek by Redfield & Wilton Strategies, US voters' dissatisfaction with Biden's participation in the situation has increased dramatically since December as revealed on April 6.
The first survey of 1,500 eligible voters from around the country was conducted on October 29, 11 days following Biden's outspoken support of the Israeli occupation's war on Gaza, or as he likes to call it "self-defense".
The survey found that 37% of voters approved of his behavior and 35% disapproved.
Another poll on December 8 found that his approval rating spiked to 39%, compared to 33% who did not approve.
