Several Senate Republicans have changed their position from previously opposing a comprehensive foreign aid package to now supporting the House-passed measure that allocates funds to Israel, Ukraine, and Taiwan.
These Republicans include: Katie Britt (Ala.), Tom Cotton (Ark.), Deb Fischer (Neb.), Lindsey Graham (S.C.), Cindy Hyde-Smith (Miss.), James Lankford (Okla.), Markwayne Mullin (Okla.), Pete Ricketts (Neb.) and Tim Scott (S.C.).
USA Today reports the Senate approved a $95 billion aid package on Tuesday to support Israel, Ukraine and Taiwan, culminating in Congress’ final endorsement following months of deliberation and discussion concerning the United States’ backing for its allies.
The procedural vote passed easily, with 80 House members in favor of the package, and only 19 in opposition to it. Notably, procedural votes do not automatically indicate support on final passage, POLITICO highlights.
The outlet notes that Senator Peter Welch (D-Vt.), who previously opposed the final passage of the February measure, voted to advance this foreign aid package, although he did vote affirmatively on the procedural vote for the previous measure as well.
Senator Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyo.), who was absent from the February vote, opposed this measure. And Senator Rand Paul (R-Ky.), who voted against the deal in February, was notably absent from Tuesday’s vote.
South Carolina Senator Lindsey Graham said in an interview, “It’s just so much easier to go back home and say, ‘Listen, we’re asking people to pay us back when they can if they can,’”
“This is just a much better package. It’s more robust for Israel,” he added.
The legislation allocates $60.8 billion in aid to Ukraine for its conflict with Russia, $26.3 billion to Israel in its battle against Hamas, including about $9 billion for global humanitarian assistance, and just over $8 billion for Taiwan and the Indo-Pacific to counter China’s regional threat.
It also includes provisions from House Republicans for imposing sanctions on Iran and Russia, seizing frozen Russian assets, and legislation from Wisconsin Rep. Mike Gallagher that could lead to a U.S. ban on the video-sharing app TikTok.
The proposal cleared its final hurdle with Tuesday’s vote.
Supporters argue that it is crucial for safeguarding U.S. national security and supporting allies abroad, per USA Today. Despite facing opposition from some on the right, the House approved the individual aid packages on Saturday with overwhelming bipartisan support.
House Democrats were slammed earlier this week for waving the Ukrainian flag in the chamber of the U.S. House of Representatives during a vote to approve $61 billion in aid for the country’s defense.
Resist The Mainstream reported that Representative Thomas Massie shared a video of the cheering chamber on X, then later claimed the House Sergeant at Arms called and threatened him to take the post down.
“Instead of fining democrats for waving flags, the House Sergeant at Arms just called and said I will be fined $500 if I don’t delete this video post,” Massie wrote.
“Mike Johnson really wants to memory hole this betrayal of America,” he added.
Congresswoman Lauren Boebert, among other Republicans, swiftly came to Massie’s defense. “I’ll be writing a $500 check to cover my friend Thomas Massie’s fine. Leave the video up, Co-Chair!” Boebert said.
House Speaker Mike Johnson would eventually weigh in on Massie’s claims of the fine, responding on X, “Upon viewing Rep. Massie’s tweet, our team reached out to the Sergeant at Arms. I do not agree with this assessment and there will be no fine imposed on Rep. Massie.”
The post See Which Republicans Backpedaled On Opposing Massive Foreign Aid Package appeared first on Resist the Mainstream.
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Author: Jordyn M.
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