The United States (U.S.) Senate voted to approve a 95.34 billion dollar aid package for Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan.
Previously, difficult negotiations and political divisions within the Republican Party over the role of the U.S. abroad had blocked the possibility of reaching a decision on the aid package in Congress for months.
U.S. President Joe Biden had been urging Congress to speed up the approval of aid to Ukraine and U.S. partners in the Indo-Pacific, including Taiwan. The vote came after a small group of Republicans, who opposed the decision, held speeches in the Senate throughout the night, using the final hours of debate to send a message that the U.S. should focus on its own problems before sending more money overseas.
However, in the end, more than ten Republicans voted with Democrats to approve the aid package. Supporters of the new aid package argue that leaving Ukraine without assistance could embolden Russian President Vladimir Putin and jeopardize the national security of several countries.
Ukrainian officials have warned of a shortage of weapons as Russia continues with renewed attacks. Both houses of Congress must approve the bill before President Biden can sign it into law.
