Final votes in the House are expected Saturday afternoon. The 4 bills, if passed, will be combined into one package to be considered in the Senate on Tuesday.
The House voted Friday to begin consideration of the foreign aid bill, with Dems voting 165-39 in favor, Republicans 151-55.
Despite all the massive media coverage of House Freedumb Caucus, the Putin wing of the GOP caucus was outvoted by GOP supporters of the package by an almost 3:1 margin.
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The House plans to vote Saturday on a $95 billion package of foreign aid bills that would provide funding for Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan, among other priorities.
Separate votes will be held on the four bills, plus a fifth bill on border security. The first four need a simple majority to pass, while the border bill needs a (unlikely) 2/3 vote.
The scheduled order of votes Saturday afternoon is significant. It’s notable that the funding for Ukraine will be voted on before the Israel bill. That is the order that Democrats wanted because there was worry among Democrats that if Israel was voted on before Ukraine, Republicans would have no incentive to support Ukraine funding and jeopardize the measure’s passage.
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First Up in the debate, a sanctions bill on Russia and Iran and the TikTok ban
The measure — called the Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act, or H.R. 7521
Next, aid to Taiwan and Indo-Pacific allies
This bill provides FY2024 supplemental appropriations for the Department of State and the Department of Defense (DOD) to support U.S. allies and activities in the Indo-Pacific region. The bill designates the funding as emergency spending, which is exempt from discretionary spending limits.
The bill provides funding to DOD and the State Department for purposes such as
- providing replacements or reimbursements for defense articles and services that DOD provided to Taiwan and countries that have supported Taiwan,
- improving the submarine industrial base,
- unfunded priorities of the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command for FY2024,
- Defense Production Act purchases,
- the Foreign Military Financing Program, and
- a contribution to the International Development Association.
The bill also expands the authorities of the President to transfer defense articles and services from DOD to foreign countries or international organizations.
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The House is now debating H.R. 8036, the Indo-Pacific Security Supplemental Act of 2024. The bill would provide supplemental appropriations for the Department of Defense and the State Department to support U.S. allies and activities in the Indo-Pacific.
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Next, Ukraine
Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 1160. H.R. 8035 — "Making emergency supplemental appropriations to respond to the situation in Ukraine and for related expenses for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2024, and for other purposes."
Ukraine Security Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2024
This bill provides FY2024 supplemental appropriations for federal departments and agencies to respond to the conflict in Ukraine. The bill designates the funding as emergency spending, which is exempt from discretionary spending limits.
Specifically, the bill provides appropriations to the
- Department of Defense (DOD),
- Department of Energy science programs,
- the National Nuclear Security Administration,
- the Administration for Children and Families,
- the Department of State, and
- the U.S. Agency for International Development.
The funding is provided for purposes such as
- supporting current U.S. military operations in the region,
- the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative,
- replacing defense articles that were provided to Ukraine,
- reimbursing DOD for defense services and training provided to Ukraine,
- the Foreign Military Financing Program,
- economic support for Ukraine,
- refugee and entrant assistance,
- international narcotics control and law enforcement, and
- the development and production of isotopes.
The bill also includes provisions that
- expand the authorities of the President to transfer defense articles and services from DOD to foreign countries or international organizations,
- require the President to transfer long-range Army Tactical Missile Systems to Ukraine,
- require the President to enter into an agreement with Ukraine regarding repaying the United States for the economic assistance it has provided to Ukraine,
- require certain funds that are provided for Ukraine to be matched by other donors, and
- establish various oversight and reporting requirements for assistance provided to Ukraine.
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And lastly, Israel
H.R.8034 - Israel Security Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2024
Israel Security Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2024
This bill provides FY2024 supplemental appropriations for federal departments and agencies to respond to the conflict in Israel. The bill designates the funding as emergency spending, which is exempt from discretionary spending limits.
Specifically, the bill provides appropriations to the
- Department of Defense (DOD),
- the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).
- the Department of State, and
- the U.S Agency for International Development.
The funding is provided for purposes such as
- supporting current U.S. military operations in the region;
- replacing defense articles that were provided to Israel;
- reimbursing DOD for defense services and training provided to Israel;
- Defense Production Act purchases;
- procuring Israel's Iron Dome, David's Sling, and Iron Beam defense systems to counter short-range rocket threats;
- procuring advanced weapons systems, defense articles, and defense services for Israel through the Foreign Military Financing Program;
- the FEMA Nonprofit Security Grant Program;
- migration and refugee assistance;
- international narcotics control and law enforcement;
- peacekeeping operations;
- security at U.S. diplomatic facilities; and
- humanitarian assistance.
The bill also includes provisions that (1) expand the authorities of the President to transfer defense articles and services from DOD to foreign countries or international organizations, and (2) prohibit funds from being used for payments to the U.N. Relief and Works Agency.
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Senator Schumer says the initial Senate vote will be Tuesday afternoon.
