U.S President Joe Biden has signed into law a $95 billion (€89 billion) aid package that includes assistance for Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan as well a provision that would force social media site TikTok to either be sold or be banned in the US.
The announcement marks an end to long, painful battle with Republicans in Congress over urgently needed assistance for Ukraine.
But significant damage has been done to the Biden administration’s effort to help Ukraine repel Russia’s brutal invasion during the funding impasse that dates back to August, when the Democratic president made his first emergency spending request for Ukraine aid.
Biden also signed an initial aid package of military assistance and said shipment would begin in the “next few hours” – the first tranche from about €57 billion allocated for Ukraine, according to US officials.
It is expected to include air defence capabilities, artillery rounds, armoured vehicles and other weapons to shore up Ukrainian forces who have seen morale sink as Russian President Vladimir Putin has racked up win after win.
Biden underscored that the bill also includes a surge of humanitarian relief for Palestinians in Gaza suffering as the Israel-Hamas war continues.
Biden said Israel must ensure the humanitarian aid for Palestinians in bill reaches Gaza “without delay.”
House Speaker Mike Johnson delayed a vote on the supplemental aid package for months as members of his party’s far right wing, including Reps. Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia and Thomas Massie of Kentucky, threatened to move to oust him if he allowed a vote to send more assistance to Ukraine. Those threats persist.
Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell suggested his fellow Republicans’ holding up the funding could have a lasting impact on Ukraine’s hopes of winning the war.
