The US Senate has passed four foreign aid bills that will send billions of dollars in military aid to Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan.
The Senate approved by 79 to 18 four bills passed by the House of Representatives, after House Republican leaders abruptly switched course last week and allowed a vote on the $95 billion (€88bln) in mostly military aid for Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan and US partners in the Indo-Pacific.
One of the bills provides $61 billion (€56 billion) for Ukraine, a second provides $26 billion (€24bln) for Israel and humanitarian aid for civilians in conflict zones around the world and a third mandates $8.12 billion (€7bln) "to counter communist China" in the Indo-Pacific.
A fourth includes a potential ban on the social media app TikTok, measures for the transfer of seized Russian assets to Ukraine and new sanctions on Iran.
US President Joe Biden has promised to sign the measure into law as soon as it reaches his desk and his administration is already preparing a $1 billion (€934 million) military aid package for Ukraine, the first to be sourced from the bill, two US officials told Reuters.
After the procedural vote, the Senate's Democratic and Republican leaders predicted that Congress had turned the corner in putting Russian President Vladimir Putin and other foreign actors on notice that Washington will continue supporting Ukraine and other foreign partners.
"This is an inflection point in history. Western democracy perhaps faced its greatest threat since the end of the Cold War," Senate Democratic Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said in the Senate.
The aid package could be the last approved for Ukraine until after elections in November for the White House, House of Representatives and one-third of the Senate.
Almost all the "no" votes - 17 of the 19 - came from Republicans, many of them close allies of former US President Donald Trump, a Ukraine aid skeptic who has stressed "America First" policies as he seeks a second term in November.
Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell said his party has tended to be isolationist when a Democrat is in the White House, but he noted that well over half the Republican conference had voted to advance the bill.
When asked about complaints that his party's objections meant it took six months for the aid to pass, Mr McConnell told a news conference, "I would say better late than never".
Some of the Ukraine money - $10 billion (€9bln) in economic support - comes in the form of a loan, which Mr Trump had suggested.
However, the bill lets the president forgive the loan starting in 2026.
The influx of weapons should improve Kyiv's chances of averting a major breakthrough in the east by Russia, analysts said, although it would have been more helpful if the aid had come closer to when Mr Biden requested it last year.
It was not immediately clear how the money for Israel would affect the conflict in Gaza.
Israel already receives billions of dollars in annual US security assistance.
Supporters of the new aid package hope the humanitarian assistance will help Palestinians in Gaza, which has been devastated by Israel's campaign against Hamas to retaliate for 7 October attacks that killed 1,200 people.
Gaza health authorities said the campaign has led to the deaths of more than 34,000 civilians in the Palestinian enclave.
It was the second time this year that the Senate passed security aid for Ukraine, Israel and the Indo-Pacific.
The last bill, more than two months ago, garnered 70% support in the 100-member chamber from Republicans and Democrats.
But the House's Republican leaders, who are more closely aligned with Mr Trump, would not allow a vote on the foreign aid until last week.
The legislation's progress has been closely watched by industry, with US defence firms up for major contracts to supply equipment for Ukraine and other US partners.
Experts expect the supplemental spending to boost the order backlog of RTX Corp along with other major companies that receive government contracts such as Lockheed Martin, General Dynamics and Northrop Grumman.
The House passed the Ukraine funding by 311-112, with all "no" votes coming from Republicans, many of whom were opposed to further assistance for Kyiv.
Only 101 Republicans voted for it, forcing Republican Speaker Mike Johnson to rely on Democratic support and prompting calls for his ousting as House leader.
However, the House left Washington for a week-long recess, without triggering a vote to remove Mr Johnson.
Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky thanked the US Senate for approving a $61 billion aid package for his country.
He said: "I thank Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and Republican Leader Mitch McConnell for their strong leadership in advancing this bipartisan legislation, as well as all US Senators on both sides of the aisle who voted in favor of it," he posted on social media minutes after the bill passed.
Mr Zelensky added: "I equally appreciate President Biden's support and look forward to the bill being signed soon and the next military aid package matching the resoluteness that I always see in our negotiations.
"Ukraine's long-range capabilities, artillery, and air defence are critical tools for restoring just peace sooner."
The Ukrainian military has been facing a severe shortage of weapons and new recruits as Moscow exerts constant pressure from the east.
Israel's foreign minister also thanked the US Senate for approving $13 billion in military aid that he said sent a "strong message" to the country's enemies.
"I thank the US Senate for passing the Israel aid package tonight with an overwhelming bipartisan majority," Israel Katz posted on social media site X, adding the package was "a clear testament to the strength of our alliance and sends a strong message to all our enemies."
