The Senate has passed a substantial $95 billion package that includes critical aid for Ukraine, Israel, Taiwan, and the Indo-Pacific region, as well as a provision that could lead to a nationwide ban on the popular social media app TikTok. The vote of 79-18 sends the legislation to President Biden, who has stated he will swiftly sign it into law.
The package allocates $60 billion in aid to Ukraine, which President Volodymyr Zelenskyy believes will give his country “a chance at victory” against Russia. Additionally, it provides $26 billion in assistance to Israel and humanitarian relief in Gaza, as well as $8 billion for security in Taiwan and the Indo-Pacific region.
The TikTok provision gives the app’s China-based parent company, ByteDance, nine months to sell the platform, with a possible extension to one year. Failure to do so could result in a ban in the United States. Once signed, TikTok intends to challenge the law in court.
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer celebrated the bill’s passage, while Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell attributed the delay to the influence of former Fox News anchor Tucker Carlson and former President Donald Trump.
Despite concerns raised by Sen. Mike Lee about the bill’s cost and an attempt to rally opposition, the Senate overwhelmingly supported the package. TikTok has criticized the bill, claiming it would “trample the free speech rights of 170 million Americans, devastate 7 million businesses, and shutter a platform that contributes $24 billion to the U.S. economy annually.
Credit: NBCNews
