Senate Passes $95 Billion Aid Package for Ukraine and Potential TikTok Ban

The Senate passed a $95 billion aid package for Ukraine and a potential ban on TikTok, sending the bill to the White House for President Joe Biden’s swift enactment. The vote of 79-18, with bipartisan support, marks a significant step in providing critical aid to Ukraine in its fight against Russia.

The aid package includes $60 billion for Ukraine, $26 billion for Israel and humanitarian relief in Gaza, $8 billion for security in Taiwan and the Indo-Pacific, and a provision that could lead to a nationwide ban on TikTok. The bill gives TikTok’s parent company nine months to sell the platform or face a ban in the U.S., a move that has been met with resistance from the company.

President Biden praised the passage of the bill, stating that it will make the nation and the world more secure as it supports allies defending themselves against threats. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer hailed the vote as a message to the world that America stands with its friends in times of need.

The passage of the aid package comes after months of negotiations and bipartisan support, with Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell calling it an important day for America. The bill’s passage was attributed to a strategy of focusing on substance over politics, with Biden directing his team to work closely with lawmakers to get the aid package approved.

The bill also includes a provision to ban TikTok, a popular social media platform, in the U.S. if its parent company does not sell it within the specified timeframe. Advocates for the ban cite concerns about data privacy and national security risks associated with the Chinese-owned company.

Overall, the passage of the aid package and potential TikTok ban represents a significant step in supporting allies, addressing national security concerns, and standing up against threats to democracy. The bill’s enactment is expected to have far-reaching implications for U.S. foreign policy and national security.