The United States will “within hours” dispatch sorely needed weapons to aid Ukraine’s fight against Russia’s invading forces after President Joe Biden’s signature on a $95 billion security appropriations bill. This ends a months-long standoff fueled by isolationist Republican opposition.
Mr Biden signed the long-awaited legislation at the White House on Wednesday, less than 24 hours after the Senate voted to approve it by a margin of 78 votes in favour and 18 against.
Speaking from the White House State Dining Room just after he put pen to paper, Mr Biden said the day was “ a good day for America … a good day for Europe,” and “for world peace, for real”.
“This is consequential,” he said, adding that law he’d just signed would “make America safer” and “make the world safer” while continuing “American leadership in the world”.
“It gives vital support to America’s partners … so they can defend themselves against threats to their sovereignty, and the lives and freedom of their citizens”.
He also called the new spending law “an investment in our own security, because when our allies are stronger … we are stronger”.
“I’m grateful. We’re all grateful to all those in Congress, Democrats, Republicans, independents who voted for this bill. Its path to my desk … was a difficult path. It should have been easier and should have gotten there sooner. But in the end we did it … we rose to the moment came together, and we got it done,” he said.
The legislation also includes funds for humanitarian assistance to civilians in Gaza. Reporters shouted questions specifically about Gaza at the president, but he elected not to answer them.
Mr Biden also ignored questions about TikTok, which faces being banned in the United States after the Senate passed a bill forcing it to either sell or shut down in the country.
The president’s signature on the supplemental spending legislation for Ukraine put an end to a months-long blockade staged by Republicans in Congress who had threatened to remove House Speaker Mike Johnson from his post if he allowed a vote on any bills that might to fund Ukrainian defence needs.
It provides roughly $61 billion for Ukraine and replenishing American weapons stockpiles that have been drawn down to provide ammunition to the Ukrainian armed forces over the last year. The bill also provides $9 billion in forgivable loans for economic assistance to Kyiv.
For Israel and Gaza, there is a combined $26 billion now appropriated, including $4 billion for Israel’s missile defence systems and another $9 billion intended for humanitarian assistance to Gaza.
The president said the law he’d signed would “significantly increases humanitarian assistance we’re sending to the innocent people of Gaza who are suffering badly” and “suffering consequences for what Hamas started”.
“We’re going to immediately secure that aid … including food, medical supplies, clean water, and Israel must make sure all this aid reaches the Palestinians in Gaza without delay,” he continued, adding that “everything we do is guided by the ultimate goal of bringing this hostages home, securing a ceasefire and setting the conditions for an enduring peace”.
Mr Biden thanked Mr Johnson, along with House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell and Majority Leader Chuck Schumer for pushing the bill through their respective chambers.
“They don’t always agree. But when it matters most. They stepped up and did the right thing … sincerely history will remember this time,” he said, adding later that the two major parties had come together “time and time again … on the critical issues” over the last three years.
“When it came time to stand with Ukraine and Israel and help the people of Gaza, we did that as well. At the end of the day, most of us — whether we’re Democrats, Republicans or independents — believe that America must stand up for what is right. We don’t walk away from our allies, we stand with them. We don’t let tyrants [prevail] when we oppose them. We don’t really watch global events unfold; we shape them. That’s what it means to be the indispensable nation… to be the world’s superpower and the world’s leading democracy,” he said.
The president added that the votes to approve the bill in the House and Senate made clear that there is a “bipartisan consensus for that kind of American leadership” on the world stage.
“That’s exactly what we’ll continue to deliver,” he said.