President Biden signed legislation authorizing $61 billion in military aid for Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan, as well as potentially banning TikTok. The aid comes after months of delay, which left Ukrainian forces short on ammunition and facing battlefield setbacks. Biden emphasized the importance of the aid package in making America and the world safer, while also supporting partners in defending their sovereignty.
The Pentagon quickly announced a $1 billion aid package for Ukraine using the new funding, which includes air defense munitions, artillery rounds, ammunition for precision rocket launchers, anti-tank weapons, and armored vehicles. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky expressed his gratitude, highlighting the need to reduce threats to freedom posed by Russian aggression. This is the second time this year that the U.S. has approved new aid for Ukraine, with a previous $300 million package provided in March.
The legislation passed by Congress is valued at a total of $95 billion and includes funding for humanitarian assistance to Sudan, Haiti, and Gaza. Biden also urged Israel to allow humanitarian aid to reach Palestinians in Gaza quickly. The bill highlights the importance of supporting Ukraine as a strategic investment in U.S. security and defending against potential future Russian aggression targeting other countries.
While Republicans and Democrats have debated extensively over the funding for Ukraine, the bill ultimately passed after months of acrimonious debate among lawmakers. The U.S. has been a key military backer of Ukraine, committing tens of billions of dollars in security assistance since the start of Russia’s invasion. The new legislation addresses critical needs for Ukraine’s defense while also providing humanitarian aid to other countries in need.
The State Department confirmed that the U.S. recently sent long-range anti-tank missiles to Ukraine as part of the March assistance package. These missiles were provided to enhance Ukraine’s defense capabilities against Russian aggression. Previous aid sent to Ukraine included a shorter-range variant of these missiles, with the latest shipment having the ability to hit targets up to 300 kilometers away.
Another provision in the legislation gives TikTok nine months to divest from its Chinese parent company ByteDance or face being shut out of the American market. TikTok plans to challenge this measure in court, indicating that it sees this as a ban on the app and its users. The Biden administration’s focus on supporting Ukraine, providing humanitarian aid, and addressing national security interests reflects ongoing efforts to protect U.S. interests globally.
