April 24, 2024 (EIRNS)—Last night, the Senate passed the monster $95 billion defense bill by a vote of 79-18. Fifteen Republicans and three Democrats voted against it. The bill includes $61 billion for Ukraine, most of which is for the U.S. and British military industrial complex; $15 billion for Israel, along with another $9 billion for humanitarian aid for Gaza and other war-torn areas; and $8 billion “in security assistance to deter Chinese aggression in the Indo-Pacific,” reported The Hill. President Joe Biden signed the bill into law today.
A gleeful Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) hailed the bill as sending a message: “America will always defend democracy in its hour of need. We tell our allies we will stand with you. We tell our adversaries don’t mess with us…. Today, we make Vladimir Putin regret the day he questioned U.S. resolve…. This critical legislation will make our nation and world more secure as we support our friends who are defending themselves against terrorists like Hamas and tyrants like Putin.” He also praised Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) who “knew the right thing to do and stuck with it,” despite opposition to funding Ukraine from within his own Republican Party—showing that when it comes to matters of war and peace, there’s only one party in the U.S., the war party.
