On Saturday, April 20, 2024, at 1:00 PM, voting began in the United States House of Representatives on four federal bills concerning the provision of military aid to Ukraine, Israel, Taiwan, and the transfer of frozen Russian assets to Ukraine.
Photo: General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine
Ukraine and the Eastern Flank of NATO
The federal bill H.R.8035 – Ukraine Security Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2024 was adopted by a vote of 312 “in favor” and 112 “against” (including Democrats: 201 “in favor”, 0 “against”, and Republicans: 101 “in favor”, 112 “against”).
The bill allocates $60.84 billion to aid Ukraine and other countries in the region in their full-scale war effort against Russia. Of this amount, $13.8 billion will be earmarked for the purchase of weapons, ammunition, and other types of military support directly for Ukraine, $9.5 billion for financial support to the Ukrainian budget in the form of a loan (which can be forgiven), $23.2 billion for the purchase of weapons and ammunition to replenish the stockpiles of the U.S. armed forces after their transfer to Ukraine. Additionally, $11.3 billion is to be allocated to support ongoing U.S. military operations on the Eastern flank of NATO, as well as related research, development, testing, and other associated expenses.
The bill also raises the limit on funds for the Presidential Drawdown Authority (PDA), a presidential mechanism for military assistance to Ukraine. It allocates $26 million for further oversight and accountability of aid and equipment provided to Ukraine, strengthens oversight by requiring monitoring by U.S. agencies, requires fair cost-sharing by partners and allies, and requires the Ukrainian government to agree to repayment terms for economic assistance.
Israel
The federal bill H.R.8034 – Israel Security Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2024 was adopted by a vote of 366 “in favor” and 58 “against” (including Democrats: 173 “in favor”, 37 “against”, and Republicans: 193 “in favor”, 21 “against”).
The act allocates $26.38 billion to support Israel’s defense against Iran and its allies (mainly Hamas, Hezbollah, Houthis) and to support American forces deployed in the region.
From this amount, $4 billion will be allocated for the purchase of air defense systems such as Iron Dome and David’s Sling, $1.2 billion for the purchase of the Iron Beam laser air defense system, $4.4 billion to replenish U.S. military resources in Israel, $3.5 billion for the purchase of U.S. weapons for Israel under the Foreign Military Financing (FMF) program, $1 billion to increase the production and development of artillery ammunition, and $2.4 billion to support current U.S. military operations in the region in response to recent attacks (Media: Up to 50 F-15EX Eagle II for Israel?).
The bill provides additional flexibility for transferring arms to Israel from U.S. stocks stored abroad and prohibits the transfer of funds to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA).
Taiwan and the Pacific Region
The federal bill H.R.8036 – Indo-Pacific Security Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2024 was adopted by a vote of 385 “in favor” and 34 “against.”
It allocates $8.12 billion to continue U.S. efforts to counter communist China and ensure strong deterrence in the region.
From this amount, $3.3 billion is allocated for the development of shipyard infrastructure for submarine construction, including investments in the construction of a dry dock. Additionally, a $2 billion FMF program is designated for Taiwan and other key security partners and allies in the Indo-Pacific region in the face of Chinese threats. $1.9 billion is allocated for the purchase of weapons and ammunition to replenish the stockpiles of the U.S. armed forces after their transfer to Taiwan and regional partners. Furthermore, $542 million is earmarked to enhance U.S. military capabilities in the region, and $133 million is allocated to increase the production and development of artillery ammunition.
The bill provides additional flexibility regarding loans and credit guarantees under the FMF program for countries in the region.
Russia, Iran, TikTok
The federal bill H.R.8038 – 21st Century Peace through Strength Act was adopted by a vote of 360 “in favor” and 58 “against.”
The bill addresses U.S. national security priorities, including imposing additional sanctions on Iran, selling frozen Russian assets, and potentially banning the operation of the TikTok application.
This bill includes: imposing sanctions on ports and refineries receiving and processing Iranian oil, imposing sanctions on all individuals involved in activities related to Iranian ballistic and cruise missiles and unmanned systems that were subject to the UN embargo which expired last year, further restricting the export of goods and technology of U.S. origin to Iran, strengthening executive authority regarding the appropriation and transfer of frozen Russian assets held in the USA to Ukraine, and mandating Beijing ByteDance Technology Co Ltd., a Chinese company, to sell the TikTok application within 9 months – otherwise, it will be banned in the USA.
Finally, it should be noted that if all four bills are passed, they will automatically be combined into one amendment to the federal budget before being sent to the Senate for a vote – and that will be the case.