House passes $95B aid package

WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR) – In a Saturday session, the House of Representatives approved a $95 billion foreign aid package, approving funding for Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan.

“Peace is achieved through strength. And this is what this bill is about,” Rep. Michael McCaul (R-Texas) said.

The package also has sanctions on Iran, humanitarian aid for Gaza, and a ban on TikTok if its China-based owner doesn’t sell the app.

“This app is a spy balloon in American’s phones,” McCaul said.

Members of both parties praised the emergency assistance as a way to fight bad actors and support allies.

“This is about freedom vs. authoritarianism,” Rep. Young Kim (R- Calif.) said.

The largest chunk of funding goes to Ukraine, with about $61 billion in military assistance to fight Russia’s invasion.

“I fear that if you choose the Putin route, you will have blood on your hands,” Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) said.

While a handful of hard-right conservatives spoke against Ukraine aid, they did not trigger a motion to remove House Speaker Mike Johnson over the vote.

Georgia Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene instead voiced her opposition on the floor.

“We should be funding to build up our weapons and ammunition not to send it over to foreign countries to kill foreign people,” Greene said.

House Speaker Mike Johnson defended the aid.

“We would rather send bullets to the conflict overseas than our own boys, our troops,” Johnson said.

Johnson said he’s not concerned about efforts to oust him as speaker.

“You do the right thing and you let the chips fall where they may,” Johnson said.

The legislation next heads to the Senate, where Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer said he plans to hold a vote as early as Tuesday.

President Joe Biden said in a statement he would sign the package into law.

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