Senate Passes $95 Billion Bipartisan Foreign Aid Bill

The Senate passed a $95 billion bipartisan foreign aid bill early Tuesday morning that would provide supplemental funding for Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan. 

Key Details: The package passed by a 70-29 vote. Twenty-two Republicans supported it, and two Democrats, Sens. Jeff Merkley (D-OR) and Peter Welch (D-VT), opposed the bill, as did Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT). House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) indicated that he will not bring the vote to the floor of the House in its present form.

Key Quotes: “It’s been years, perhaps decades, since the Senate has passed a bill that so greatly impacts not just our national security, not just the security of our allies, but also the security of western democracy,” said Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY). Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) said, “The Senate understands the responsibilities of America’s national security and will not neglect them. History settles every account. And today, on the value of American leadership and strength, history will record that the Senate did not blink.”

For Context: The proceedings have taken place amid a rift between the GOP establishment and some House Republicans with more isolationist views.

How the Media Covered it: Sources across the political spectrum noted the rarity of an all-night session in the Senate — a session that saw a number of Republican Senators speak out against the legislation, wanting a focus on border security to be included in the bill. Many sources also noted the difficulty of the bill passing in the House, where it is headed next.