House on Saturday Passes $95 Billion Foreign Aid Package for Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan Despite Party Opposition
House Speaker Mike Johnson took a bold stand on Saturday as the House moved towards passing a $95 billion foreign aid package for Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan. Despite facing opposition from hard-liners within his own party, Johnson put his job on the line to advance the long-stalled legislation.
Lawmakers were set to vote separately on aid for Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan, as well as on a bill that includes measures to potentially ban TikTok nationwide and impose new sanctions on Iran. Johnson structured the measures to capture different coalitions of support without allowing opposition to sink the entire deal.
The aid package includes $60 billion for Ukraine, $26 billion for Israel and humanitarian aid for conflict zones, and $8 billion for the Indo-Pacific region. The legislation also directs the president to seek repayment from Ukraine for $10 billion in economic assistance, with the option to forgive those loans starting in 2026.
The scene on the House floor reflected broad bipartisan support for aiding Ukraine in its conflict with Russia, with Johnson defying the anti-interventionist wing of his party to push the measure through with Democratic support.
Johnson’s decision to advance aid to Ukraine drew criticism from ultraconservative Republicans who accused him of reneging on promises regarding border security. Despite the opposition, the aid package is expected to pass overwhelmingly in the House and move to the Senate for approval.
The legislation also includes measures to sell off frozen Russian assets to fund the Ukrainian war effort, impose sanctions on Iranian and Russian officials, and limit the export of U.S. technology used in Iranian drones.
As the House debated the aid package, Representative Michael McCaul emphasized the importance of supporting allies and standing against adversaries who seek to undermine Western values.
The passage of the aid package represents a critical moment for U.S. foreign policy and demonstrates a commitment to supporting allies in the face of global challenges.
