Sen. Mitch McConnell reacts after Senate passes aid for Ukraine, Israel
The United States Senate has passed $95 billion in war aid to Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan, sending the legislation to President Joe Biden.
The bill passed the Senate on an overwhelming 79-18 vote late Tuesday after the House had approved the package Saturday. Biden, who worked with congressional leaders to win support, is expected to quickly sign the legislation and start the process of sending weapons to Ukraine, which has been struggling to hold its front lines against Russia.
The legislation would also send $26 billion in wartime assistance to Israel and humanitarian relief to citizens of Gaza, and $8 billion to counter Chinese threats in Taiwan and the Indo-Pacific.
Kentucky Senator and Minority Leader Mitch McConnell reacted to the vote Tuesday night on the Senate floor.
"It’s time to re-affirm some basic truths: That alliances matter. That foreign nations’ respect for American interests depends on our willingness to defend them. And that peace, prosperity, and security are not accidents – They’re products of American leadership and American sacrifice," McConnell said.
McConnell also called Tuesday "an extremely important day in the history of our country and of the free world."
Republicans in the House majority also added a bill to the foreign aid package that could ban the social media app TikTok in the U.S. if its Chinese owners do not sell their stake within a year.
According to the Associated Press, that legislation had wide bipartisan support in both chambers.