The Senate is poised to pass a House-approved package worth $95 billion, which includes funding for Israel, Ukraine, and Taiwan, as well as legislation that could potentially ban TikTok if its Chinese parent company does not sell the app. The Senate voted 80-19 to move forward with the bills, setting the stage for a final vote as early as Tuesday evening following the delay of the Senate’s planned recess. The House previously passed the three foreign aid bills with bipartisan support, leading to the Senate’s procedural votes.
Additionally, a fourth bill was added to the foreign aid package to sway hesitant right-wing lawmakers, which would impose sanctions on Russia, China, and Iran. This bill also demands that ByteDance, the owner of TikTok, sells the app within 270 days to a company not affiliated with U.S. adversaries, such as China, Russia, or Iran. If ByteDance fails to comply, TikTok could face a ban in the United States due to concerns about the app’s data privacy and potential ties to the Chinese government.
President Biden has expressed his intention to sign the four bills into law once they pass the Senate. The foreign aid bills allocate $26 billion to Israel, $61 billion to Ukraine, and $8 billion to Indo-Pacific partners of the U.S., with modifications including structuring a portion of the Ukraine aid as a loan. The legislation targeting TikTok aims to address concerns about data security and the influence of foreign governments on the app’s operations, with the potential for legal challenges ahead from both TikTok and the Chinese government.
This foreign aid package follows previous attempts earlier in the year that were stalled or scuttled by former President Trump, who argued against providing aid to allies unless in the form of a loan. The current legislation excludes border controls that were previously considered, with the focus now on supporting Ukraine amidst its conflict with Russia and addressing the recent tensions involving Iran and Israel. The bill’s passage reflects the ongoing geopolitical challenges and the need for U.S. support for its allies in various regions.
In a surprising turn, Trump defended House Speaker Mike Johnson, who faced opposition from right-wing lawmakers, including threats of removal from Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene. Trump acknowledged the challenges faced by Johnson as a minority speaker and praised his support for structuring some aid to Ukraine as a loan. This development highlights the complexities of passing foreign aid legislation in a politically divided environment and the importance of bipartisan cooperation in addressing global challenges.
