The U.S. House of Representatives passed on Saturday with broad bipartisan support a $95 billion military aid package for Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan, despite Republican opposition.
The legislation now moves to the Senate with a Democratic majority, which approved a similar bill over two months ago.
American leaders, from Democratic President Joe Biden to Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell, had long urged House Republican leader Mike Johnson to bring it to a vote.
Democrats and Republicans united to support the bill after a weeks-long battle over the additional military assistance for Ukraine as it continues efforts to repel Russian aggression.
The House approved $61 billion in aid for Ukraine overwhelmingly, demonstrating strong American support.
Also, the $26 billion aid package assisting Israel and providing humanitarian aid for Gaza was easily passed.
Part of the legislative package on national security, as well as another for aid to U.S. allies in the Indo-Pacific, were swiftly approved.
The legislation now heads to the Senate, where its passage in the coming days is nearly assured.
President Joe Biden urged the Senate to vote swiftly and send it to the White House for him to sign into law.
“The eyes of the world are upon us, and history will judge what we do today,” said House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman, Republican Michael McCaul.
The lawmakers’ action this weekend contrasted with months of gridlock and blockades caused by Republicans, who hold the majority in the House but are deeply divided over foreign aid, especially for Ukraine as it fights Russian aggression.
Speaker Johnson, risking his position, relied on Democratic votes this week to bring several aid bills to the floor, as well as a fourth with several other foreign policy proposals.
“This is a historic moment,” said New York lawmaker Gregory Meeks, the top Democrat on the House Foreign Affairs Committee.
Approval by the House removes the biggest obstacle to President Biden’s request, which was initially made in October as Ukraine’s military hardware was running out.
The House, with a Republican majority skeptical of continued U.S. support for Ukraine, had for months disagreed on this aspect of the bill.
Reaching the voting point has been a tough road for Mr. Johnson, testing both his resolve and support among Republicans, a small but growing faction of whom openly seek his removal from office.
