Senate passes $95 billion foreign aid package, but faces tough path in House

The Senate passed a $95 billion foreign aid bill for Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan on Tuesday — with more than 20 Republicans defying former President Donald Trump, who fervently spoke out against the bill, which now faces an uncertain future in the House.

The Senate voted 70-29 to approve the bill early Tuesday, with 22 Republican senators supporting it.

Trump, whose opposition to the initial national security supplemental led to its demise, criticized the foreign aid bill, saying in a social media post over the weekend that the United States should only loan money to foreign allies. The bill now heads to the House; however, Speaker Mike Johnson, in a statement Monday night, strongly suggested he may not take the Senate bill on the floor for debate or a vote because it does not address the southern border.

If Johnson does not agree to a vote on the bill, Democrats could attempt a rare maneuver known as a “discharge petition,” which allows members to force a House vote. That maneuver requires the signatures of a majority of the House’s members. The last successful discharge petition was filed in 2015.