Washington [USA], April 24: Late on April 23 (US time), the US Senate passed a foreign aid package, including payments for Ukraine, Israel and security in the Indo- Pacific .
The aid package was passed by the US Senate after passing the House of Representatives last weekend after months of deadlock.
According to the bill, Washington will spend $60.84 billion on issues related to the conflict in Ukraine , including $23 billion to replenish US weapons, stockpiles and facilities; spent $26 billion on Israel, including $9.1 billion for humanitarian needs; as well as spending 8.12 billion USD on the Indo- Pacific , including Taiwan territory.
The aid package was approved with 79 votes in favor and 18 votes against. US President Joe Biden supports the bill and has said he will sign it on April 24 after Congress passes it.
Meanwhile, the Pentagon is ready to send an initial military aid package worth $1 billion as soon as the bill is approved by the government, according to ABC News.
This is said to be the last US aid package for Ukraine until the presidential, House of Representatives and part of the US Senate elections take place in November.
Leaders of the Democratic and Republican parties in the Senate said that Congress sent a warning message to external opponents that the United States will continue to support Ukraine and other partners, according to Reuters.
"This is a turning point in history. Western democracy is perhaps facing the greatest threat since the end of the Cold War," said Senate majority leader Chuck Schumer (Democratic party).
Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (Republican) regretted that aid to Ukraine was delayed, mostly because of hardline Republican members in the House of Representatives. "I think we have turned the corner on the isolationist movement," Mr. McConnell said at a press conference.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky immediately thanked US Senate leaders for moving forward with the bill and the senators who voted in favor.
Source: Thanh Nien Newspaper