NEW YORK, New York — In April 2024, the Senate approved $95 billion in foreign aid to Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan in a 79-to-18 vote. With overwhelming bipartisan support, the bill includes humanitarian aid to Gaza, submarine infrastructure in Taiwan and a TikTok divest-or-ban provision. The bill encapsulates an array of 2024 US foreign policy priorities and President Biden signed it into law on April 24th, 2024.
A Broad Summary of the Spending Breakdown
- UKRAINE – Of the $61 billion allocated for Ukraine, the majority is intended to replenish US weapons stockpiles. Ukraine will also receive $9 billion of economic aid through “forgivable loans.”
- ISRAEL – The majority of the $26 billion will go towards Israel’s missile defense systems, while $9 billion of the total will go toward humanitarian assistance in Gaza amid the Israel-Hamas war.
- TAIWAN – Of the $8 billion dedicated to US allies in the Indo-Pacific region, the primary focuses are on submarine infrastructure and development and replenishing US weapons for Taiwan in addition to regional allies opposing China.
The “TikTok Ban” To Move Along Previously-Stalled Foreign Aid Package
As a testament to the unifying nature of the bill, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell collaborated to ensure its passage. They worked with House Speaker Mike Johnson, a Republican, to overcome his party’s opposition to Ukraine aid. The package, however, is not limited to foreign aid – it includes a measure to protect national security that appeals to both sides of the political spectrum.
Johnson played a pivotal role in passing the legislation by “sweetening” it with a priority of bipartisan support: a TikTok ban. As the Wall Street Journal (WSJ) congressional reporter Natalie Andrews explained, “As a part of this aid package, they put in what they often call ‘sweeteners’ so priorities that can pass both Houses and that is the TikTok ban.”
Risking his job while curbing opposition from right-wing Republicans in the House, Johnson broke the proposal into a four-fold package. He divided foreign aid to Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan into three parts while also adding a fourth bill that requires the sale of TikTok by its Chinese owner, ByteDance Ltd or bans it in the US entirely. The decision by House Republicans to include TikTok effectively fast-tracked the larger foreign aid package for congressional approval.
What It Means for USA Foreign Aid Relations
The $95.3 billion package of foreign aid to Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan ultimately reaffirms US support for Kyiv after months of being in a congressional stalemate, jeopardizing the focal point of White House foreign policy. Regarding TikTok, the issue of forcible sale or outright ban will likely not settle for at least nine months. Apart from its role as a historic congressional unifier, this sweeping package sends military and humanitarian aid to Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan – effective immediately.
– Sheridan Smith
Sheridan is based in New York City, NY, USA and focuses on Politics for The Borgen Project.
Photo: Flickr
