WASHINGTON – The Senate overwhelmingly passed a $95 billion package Tuesday to provide critical aid to Ukraine and enact it into law. This provision could lead to a nationwide ban on TikTok.
The voting result was 79 to 18. Send a package to the White House. Fifteen Republicans and three Democrats voted against the bill. The House passed the bill on Saturday.
President Joe Biden said Tuesday night he would enact the measure quickly.
“I will sign this bill and call on the American people as soon as it reaches my desk tomorrow so we can begin sending arms and equipment to Ukraine this week,” he said in a statement. “This important bill will make our country and the world even safer by helping our friends defend against terrorists like Hamas and tyrants like Putin.”
the package This includes $60 billion in aid to Ukraine, which President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said would give the country a “chance for victory” against Russia. It includes $8 billion for Taiwan and security in the Indo-Pacific region, as well as $26 billion for aid to Israel and humanitarian relief in the Gaza Strip.
It gives TikTok’s China-based parent company nine months (which the president could extend to a year) to sell the popular social media platform or face a ban in the United States. It turns out. This ensures that TikTok won’t be banned until after the 2024 election, which would bring it closer to a ban than ever before, ensuring a victory. TikTok said it intends to fight the law in court if it is signed into law.
“Finally, finally, finally. Tonight, after more than six months of hard work and many twists and turns, America sends a message to the entire world: We will not turn our backs on you,” said Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer. D.N.Y.) said. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) declared Tuesday a “major day for America” after months of Republican infighting over whether to continue funding to Ukraine. “We have turned the corner on an isolationist movement,” McConnell said, blaming two men for the delay. Former Fox News anchor Tucker Carlson “demonized Ukraine” and cited former President Donald Trump’s “complex views” and previous resistance to Ukraine. To help the country.
In pressing for the bill to become law, Biden directed his team to follow a strategy of substance over politics to get Ukraine aid to the finish line, administration officials said. That included staying in close contact with Mr. Johnson and his staff to widely urge House Republicans to take action, while halting targeted attacks against Mr. Johnson as much as possible. It also highlights the state of American intelligence and the national security risks of inaction, the official said.
Steve Ricchetti, a presidential adviser, said Biden’s meeting with Congressional leaders at the White House in February “really gave us direction. We came away saying, “We have to get this done.” Let’s deepen our dialogue on whether to do so.” To get there. ”
“One of his superpowers is figuring out how to get these things done,” Ricchetti added of Biden’s role in the negotiations.
Two months ago, the Senate passed a similar $95 billion foreign aid package 70-29, but it did not include the TikTok provision.Yet the Senate proved The House of Representatives has accepted the revised TikTok ban bill. A bill previously passed by the House of Representatives would have given TikTok a six-month shorter grace period to sell TikTok to its parent company.
Sen. Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), chair of the Commerce Committee, supported the new bill and said she was “very pleased” with the extension of TikTok’s sales period. Cantwell said she recommended the change.
“I support this latest bill,” she said.
Supporters of banning the app in the U.S. have raised concerns about TikTok’s relationship with Beijing-based ByteDance, saying Americans’ data could be accessed by the Chinese government under Chinese law. However, TikTok has downplayed that possibility, saying its headquarters are in Beijing. Singapore and Los Angeles. They also claim that China could manipulate the algorithms to further its propaganda.
In response to last weekend’s House vote, a TikTok spokesperson said: “It’s unfortunate that the House of Representatives is once again using the cover of important foreign and humanitarian aid to block passage of a bill that tramples on 170 free speech rights.” ” he said. Destroying 1 million Americans, 7 million businesses, and shutting down a platform that contributes $24 billion a year to the American economy. ”
TikTok officials shared an internal memo sent after the House passed the bill, saying it would “move to court for legal challenges” if Biden signs it.
Sen. Mike Lee (R-Utah) encouraged his colleagues to reject the bill, saying 41 senators could join the filibuster.
“We don’t need to pass a $95 billion bill. Just 41 senators can stop it,” Lee said. I wrote to X. “There are 49 Republicans in the Senate, more than enough. Where does your senator stand?”
As it turned out, he fell far short.
