U.S. Senate passes aid supplemental for Ukraine, Taiwan, Israel, and more

(Washington, D.C.) -- North Dakota U.S. Senator John Hoeven is defending his "yes" vote on the National Security Act, which would aim to send billions to Ukraine, Israel, Taiwan, and other humanitarian efforts.

70 Senators voted in favor of the bill, including Hoeven and Senator Kevin Cramer, with 29 against it. Hoeven says half of the funding directly supports the United State's own national defense by replacing older equipment with newer ones.

“We need to stand with Israel as they defend themselves against the horrific terrorist attacks of Hamas," said Hoeven after supporting the National Security Supplemental Legislation. "I believe that U.S. support for Israel, Ukraine and Taiwan should be focused on military assistance. This version of the bill removed about $20 billion in non-military funding. Also, more than half of the assistance in this bill directly supports our own national defense, including for our forces deployed abroad and the replacement of older equipment transferred to our partners with up-to-date capabilities. That is important for both U.S. national security and that of our allies and partners as they fight against our shared adversaries, including Putin and Hamas, and push back against the malign activities of the Chinese Communist Party."

House Speaker Mike Johnson says the chamber will not vote on the bill until an accompanying Border Bill passes the Senate.