WASHINGTON, DC – After months of waiting for the U.S. House of Representatives, the U.S. Senate voted 79-18 late last night to pass the bipartisan national security supplemental appropriations bill.

The $95.3 billion package includes critical support for Ukraine and Israel, humanitarian aid for Palestinian civilians, and vital resources for U.S. partners in the Indo-Pacific. The measure also includes $3.3 billion for the U.S. submarine industrial base, as well as support for operations to keep international shipping safe in the Red Sea and to crack down on fentanyl trafficking.

U.S. Senator Jack Reed (D-RI), the Chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee and a senior member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, issued the following statement after the Senate vote:

“With today’s historic action, which is long overdue, Congress has sent a powerful message to the world. This legislation demonstrates that we stand resolutely with our friends and allies, and that America’s interests and safety won’t be challenged by dictators or bullies.

“For Ukraine, this bill will provide game-changing weapons, ammunition, and combat vehicles to revitalize their heroic fight for freedom. Vladimir Putin can and must be stopped, both for the sake of Ukraine’s survival and for the security of all Americans.

“In the Middle East, this legislation will help Israel defend itself from vicious attacks from Iran, Hamas, and others, and just as importantly it will provide critical humanitarian aid to Palestinians caught in the crossfire. It will also equip U.S. forces with the resources they need to protect our servicemembers and international shipping lanes throughout the region.

“China is watching us closely, and this package will serve as a powerful deterrent to Xi Jinping’s aggressive ambitions in the region and globally. The bill will deliver important military capabilities to Taiwan and our partners in the Indo-Pacific.

“The legislation also includes the FEND Off Fentanyl Act, which I worked on with Banking Committee Chairman Sherrod Brown to strengthen sanctions and anti-money laundering laws to disrupt illicit opioid supply chains and penalize those facilitating the trafficking of fentanyl.

“I commend the broad, bipartisan majority of my Senate and House colleagues who came together to pass this bill and strengthen America’s security. I salute President Biden’s unwavering leadership, and look forward to him signing this bill.”

President Biden requested national security supplemental funding last fall, and the Senate passed a bill two months ago after Senate Republican rejected a bipartisan border security package of more border agents and enforcement. Further delays were caused in the House of Representatives when Republicans prevented the bill from being passed until now. Now that the bill has been approved by both chambers of Congress, it goes to President Biden’s desk to be signed into law.