Just In : Biden signs $95b foreign aid bill for Ukraine, Israel
Biden signed the bill on Wednesday, allocating nearly $61 billion in aid to Ukraine, $26 billion for Israel and $8 billion for countering China’s actions threatening Taiwan and other allies in the Indo-Pacific region.
“When our allies are stronger. We are stronger,” Biden said.
Sporting a US-Ukrainian flag pin and speaking from the White House after signing the bill, the president said it was a “good day for America, a good day for Ukraine and a good day for world peace”.
“It’s going to make America safer. It’s going to make the world safer. And it continues America’s leadership in the world,” he added.
Ukraine’s package includes $1 billion in military assistance which comprises air defence capabilities, artillery rounds, armoured vehicles, and other weapons to bulk up the armoury.
“They’ve killed tens of thousands of Ukrainians,” Biden said in defence of the long-awaited aid.
“They bombed hospitals … kindergartens, grain silos, tried to plunge Ukraine into a cold dark winter.”
Addressing the aid component for Israel, Biden described his commitment to the Jewish nation as “ironclad”.
“The security of Israel is critical. I will always make sure that Israel has what it needs to defend itself against Iran and terrorists it supports,” he said.
Biden also said the aid package includes $1 billion for additional humanitarian aid in Gaza.
“We’re going to immediately secure that aid and surge it — surge it, including food, medical supplies, clean water,” he said, adding that “Israel must make sure all this aid reaches the Palestinians in Gaza without delay”.
Some legislators criticised the bill, saying the donations are becoming a stretch for the US economy.
