The Senate passed a bill Tuesday morning that would appropriate $95 billion in new military aid to Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan, after several Republican senators delayed passage for eight hours with opposition speeches.
On February 4, the Senate released language for a bipartisan national security bill that would provide aid to Ukraine during its conflict with Hamas and war with Russia and Israel, along with border security provisions. was denied It was passed by the agency on February 7 after Republicans deemed the latter provision insufficient to alleviate illegal immigration. new version of the bill, stripped away Those provisions passed the Senate at 6:37 a.m. Tuesday. Vote 70 in favor to 29 against. (Related: 'It's a false choice': Ukraine's security is as important as its borders, senator argues)
“[I]It shouldn't have taken this long to move forward with this aid that so many of us say we need, and I'm so glad that we're finally here and able to move forward on this important package. Masu. ” Said Senate President pro tempore Patty Murray, who also chairs the Senate Appropriations Committee, spoke about the bill on the Senate floor on February 8th. “[O]Allies are at war, civilians are at risk, and dictators are watching closely to see what we do about it. So, really, the stakes couldn't be higher. ”
Click here for an overview of the bill.
Overview of the National Security Act of 2024 by Daily Caller News Foundation On Scribd
The bill passed the Senate in unusual circumstances shortly before 7 a.m. Tuesday after the Senate remained in session all night amid protests from opponents of the bill led by Republican Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky. . Its progress. Paul and seven of his Republican colleagues gave eight consecutive one-hour speeches starting at 9:39 p.m. Monday night in an effort to delay the bill.
“Every time we spend critical resources in Ukraine, we make them unavailable for emergencies needed by the United States…Even now, we send weapons to Ukraine far faster than we can supply them. “Where are the anti-war forces left?” Said Republican Sen. J.D. Vance of Ohio opposes the bill on the Senate floor. Vance missed his son's birthday to give a speech in opposition to the bill. read aloud A Dr. Seuss poem was placed on the floor in his honor.
“[W]We're all here tonight because of one peckerhead,” Democratic Sen. John Fetterman of Pennsylvania told the Daily Caller News Foundation on Friday, referring to Paul's remarks. same tactics Now, let's move on to the procedural stage of the bill. The Senate was scheduled to go into a two-week recess on Monday, but remained in session over the weekend to pass the bill.
President Joe Biden called on Congress to pass such legislation in a televised address on October 19, 2023.Republican objections to lack of border security provisions original proposal This led to months of negotiations between Democrats and Republicans over whether to join the bill.
The bill includes $60 billion in aid to Ukraine, nearly $20 billion of which would be used to replenish the U.S. military stockpile already sent to the country. The remainder of these funds will be used to train Ukrainian military personnel and provide intelligence-related and economic assistance to the country.
of #Senate The national security law was passed with a vote of 70-29.
Republicans: Boozman Capito Cassidy Collins Cornyn Kramer Crapo Ernst Grassley Hoeven Kennedy McConnell Moran Murkowski Risch Romney Rounds Sullivan Thun Tillis Wicker & Young.
Democratic Party/Indian Vote Number: Merkley Sanders & Welch
— Senate Press Gallery (@SenatePress) February 13, 2024
The bill would also provide $10 billion to Israel during its conflict with Hamas. Approximately $5.2 billion will be used to support missile defense capabilities, including $1.2 billion to procure a new laser-based system known as Iron Beam for Israel.
“[The bill] Fully funds the Special Inspector General of Ukraine created by [National Defense Authorization Act] Last year expanded already unprecedented visibility into how U.S. aid is being used. ” said Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell sponsored the bill on February 9th. “[I]t [also] Imposing strict new oversight measures on humanitarian aid and ensuring that not a single penny of U.S. taxpayer money goes to UN agencies whose staff have incited hatred in Gaza and participated in the genocide of Jews in Israel. do. ”
Funds to support Ukraine and Israel make up the bulk of the bill's spending. But other national security priorities are also being addressed, with $2.5 billion earmarked to support Taiwan in an effort to stop China from invading the island, and the U.S.-U.S. $3.3 billion has been allocated for submarine construction under the Saudi Arabia plans to provide Australia with nuclear-powered attack submarines to deter the People's Liberation Army Navy.
The bill also includes provisions to fund U.S. diplomatic efforts in those countries and $10 billion to support refugee relief efforts around the world, but not limited to Ukraine and Gaza. The only border-related item remaining in the bill is a bill to combat fentanyl trafficking, originally introduced by Republican Sen. Tim Scott of South Carolina, called the End Fentanyl Act. ” is known as.
The bill, which was included as an amendment, is HR815, which will now head to the House of Representatives, is already opposed by several House Republicans.But Republican supporter The bill's supporters, along with Democrats, reportedly If the bill is expected to pass, it is considering a process known as a “removal petition” to force a floor vote.
Read the text of the bill here.
Text of the National Security Act of 2024 by Daily Caller News Foundation On Scribd
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