US House Passes $61 Billion Aid Package for Ukraine
On 20 April, after multiple months of delay due to resistance from hardline Republicans, the US House of Representatives passed a $95 billion aid package for Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan with landslide bipartisan support. The vast majority of this funding, $61 billion, will be dedicated to the defense of Ukraine although approximately one-third of this total will address deficiencies in US weapon and equipment stockpiles.
$17 billion will also be provided for Israeli security with an additional $9 billion for humanitarian operations in Israel and Palestine. Finally, approximately $8 billion has been set aside for Indo-Pacific security and Taiwan.
The Ukraine aid passed with overwhelming support with 311 voting for, and 102 against (all Republicans). The Israel/Palestine aid package was voted on separately and saw 366 votes in support and 58 against (of those, 37 were Democrats and 21 Republicans). Finally, the Indo-Pacific Defense resolution saw 385 votes in support and 24 against (all Republicans). Notably, House Speaker Johnson, who had become the face of legislative delays over Ukraine aid, voted in support of all three resolutions.
At over $60 billion, the US aid should help keep Ukraine in the fight for a long time. According to the Kiel Institute, total US aid to Ukraine from 22 January, 2022 to 15 January, 2024 has been $74.3 billion (including $46.3 billion in military aid). Therefore, even if one subtracts the portion of the new package dedicated to replenishing the US arsenal, the new package would be equivalent to approximately one year of aid (assuming a constant rate). Perhaps most importantly, this means that it will be a long while before another political battle may have to be fought over funding the fight in Ukraine.
The long-delayed legislation will now head to the Senate where it is unlikely to face significant delays or opposition; President Biden has urged the Senate to quickly send this package to [his] desk so that [he] can sign it into law” and President Zelensky extended his gratitude to both parties over Twitter.