What To Know About the Latest Foreign Aid Package

(USNewsBreak.com) – For months, parties in the House have faced a stalemate over aid packages. Hardliner Republicans forced House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) to work with Democrats to pass the military and aid measures for Israel and Ukraine. After several delays, the lower chamber finally passed a set of four bills, with each vote held separately to allow members to vote their “conscience.” The Senate also advanced the measures this week, after which President Joe Biden signed them. Here’s what they look like.

The House passed the first three bills in the aid package on Sunday, April 21. They centered on foreign aid for Ukraine, Israel, and the Indo-Pacific region. The Ukraine measure caused the most infighting amongst GOP members. However, it passed with a 311 to 112 vote. The package will allocate nearly $61 billion to the war-torn country but will also replenish munitions the US has sent to Ukraine. Additionally, lawmakers established more than $9 billion as loans that Ukraine must repay but that the US could forgive starting in 2025.

A look at what’s in the $95 billion package passed by the House on Saturday that will provide military aid to Ukraine and Israel, replenish U.S. weapons systems and give humanitarian assistance to civilians in Gaza.https://t.co/Ty6FBkBM8Y

— PBS NewsHour (@NewsHour) April 21, 2024

The bill regarding Israeli aid would provide $26.4 billion to the Middle Eastern nation, which is currently engaged in a bloody conflict with Hamas. Legislators have earmarked $9 billion Of those funds specifically for humanitarian assistance in Gaza and another $4 billion to help replenish the country’s missile defense systems. This vote passed 366 to 58.

The Indo-Pacific aid package will allocate just over $8 billion to the region and will go towards countering China’s efforts. Lawmakers targeted just under $2 billion to replace munitions the US has sent to regional allies and allocated more than $3.3 billion to submarine development and infrastructure. House members voted 385 to 34 to pass this measure.

After the bills passed, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) said the Senate would immediately take up the vote on the measures so as not to hinder them any further. The Senate ultimately voted on Tuesday to advance the package, 80-19. On Wednesday, Biden gave his approval for the package and spoke publicly about the decision.

However, hardliners in the House aren’t happy. Reps. Paul Gosar (R-AZ) and Thomas Massie (R-KY) have decided to join Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) in her threats to oust Johnson, a motion she filed weeks ago.