WASHINGTON: US President Joe Biden signed Wednesday a sweeping $95 billion spending bill into law that funds his top-line national security priorities, including more military assistance for Israel and Ukraine.
Addressing reporters at the White House, Biden said the long-delayed package should have reached his desk sooner, but said it nonetheless will “make America safer. It’s gonna make the world safer. And it continues America’s leadership in the world.”
“It gives vital support to Americans partners so they can defend themselves against threats to their sovereignty, and the lives and freedom of their citizens. And it’s an investment in our own security. Because when our allies are stronger, and I want to make this point again and again, when our allies are stronger, we are stronger,” he said.
“It was a difficult path. It should have been easier and it should have gotten there sooner. But in the end, we did what America always does. We rose to the moment. We came together, and we got it done. Now we need to move fast,” he added, just hours after the Senate approved the package Tuesday evening.
The bill includes more than $60.8 billion for Ukraine, $16.6 billion for Israel and $8 billion for Indo-Pacific allies to counter China. The bill would also allocate nearly $9.1 billion for humanitarian efforts worldwide, including in war-torn Gaza where there Israel’s war has caused widespread devastation and suffering.
Biden said that in the coming hours his administration will announce a new military assistance package for Ukraine that will include vital weaponry to aid its fight against Russia. That will include more air defense munitions, rocket artillery ammunition and armored vehicles.
The over $16 billion for Israel meanwhile will be used to “replenish” Israel’s air defense and other “critical” weaponry “so Iran can never carry out to destruction and attended was its attack 10 days ago,” Biden said.
“At the same time, this bill significantly increases humanitarian assistance we’re sending to the innocent people of Gaza who are suffering badly. They are suffering the consequences of this war that Hamas started, and we have been working intently for months to get as much aid to Gaza as possible,” he said.
About $1 billion is earmarked for Gaza, and Biden said his administration will “immediately” use the funding to “surge” additional humanitarian assistance into the war-torn enclave.
“Israel must make sure all this aid reaches the Palestinians in Gaza without delay. And everything we do is guided by the ultimate goal of bringing this hostages home, securing a cease-fire, and setting the conditions for an enduring peace,” he added.
