Senate Passes $95 Billion Foreign Aid Package Despite Conservative Resistance

The US Senate passed a sweeping $95 billion foreign aid spending bill that would, among other things, fund Israel, Ukraine, and Taiwan. 

The spending bill had been procedurally frozen by a cohort of conservatives, but eventually passed earlier this week. 

According to CNN, the aid bill contains billions of dollars to support Ukraine and for security assistance for Israel, as well as humanitarian assistance for civilians in Gaza and the West Bank.

Aside from granting $481 million for refugee and immigrant arrival social services, the foreign aid bill does not include any immigration or border enforcement measures. 

The latest passage of the foreign aid bill has prompted even more criticism from Republicans, who are accusing Democrats of prioritizing foreign affairs over national security. 

US Senator Rick Scott (R-FL) criticized the passage of the foreign aid bill.

“We should secure our border. We should aid our ally Israel, not Hamas terrorists in Gaza,” said Senator Scott. 

“The bill passed in the Senate this morning fuels Biden’s massive foreign policy failures, and I voted against it.”

US Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) attempted to include border security measures by filing five amendments relating to border security to the aid package.

Senator Rubio’s proposed amendments were ultimately rejected. 

Despite alleged pressure from former President Donald Trump to do otherwise, 22 Senate Republicans voted in favor of the spending package. 

The Republican Senators who voted in favor of the bill included Mitch McConnell (R-KY), Chuck Grassley (IA), and others. 

The foreign aid package will now head to the House of Representatives, where Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) has reportedly suggested he will halt the bill from reaching the floor for a vote.