Biden praises Congress for foreign aid bill and says he will sign it immediately
Biden praises Congress for foreign aid bill and says he will sign it immediately The Guardian US
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US Senate Approves $95bn Aid for Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan
Introduction
The US Senate voted resoundingly in a bipartisan majority to approve $95bn in aid for Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan. President Joe Biden praised congressional leaders and lawmakers for their efforts in answering history’s call at this critical inflection point.
Senate Approval and President’s Response
- The Senate passed the bill with a sweeping 79 to 18 vote, following similar approval in the House.
- President Biden announced that he would sign the bill into law and begin sending weapons to Ukraine as early as this week.
- He emphasized that the legislation strengthens national security and demonstrates American leadership in standing for democracy and freedom.
Unified Message and Support
- Democratic Senator Chuck Schumer stated that the Senate’s message to the world is that America will always defend democracy in its hour of need.
- He emphasized the importance of holding the line against autocratic leaders like Vladimir Putin and showing that betting against America is a grave mistake.
Details of the Aid Package
The legislation includes:
- $60.8bn to replenish Ukraine’s war chest.
- $26.3bn for Israel and humanitarian relief for conflict zones.
- $8.1bn for the Indo-Pacific region to bolster defenses against China.
Gratitude and Reactions
- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy expressed gratitude to President Biden, congressional leaders, and the American people for their support.
- China urged the US to fulfill its commitment to not support “Taiwan independence” and stop arming Taiwan.
- Israel’s Foreign Minister Israel Katz stated that the funding sends a strong message to Israel’s enemies.
Challenges and Support
- The aid package faced delays and setbacks, with some Republicans initially opposing sending aid to Ukraine.
- Conservatives insisted on pairing foreign aid with border legislation.
- Bipartisan support and personal entreaties eventually led to the bill’s passage.
Legacy-Building and Future Actions
- Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell made funding Ukraine’s war effort a legacy-building quest.
- He challenged isolationism within the Republican party and emphasized the importance of American resolve and global responsibilities.
SDGs, Targets, and Indicators in the Article
1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?
- SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions
- SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals
The article discusses the passage of a bill in the US Senate to provide aid to Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan. This is connected to SDG 16, which focuses on promoting peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, providing access to justice for all, and building effective, accountable, and inclusive institutions at all levels. It is also connected to SDG 17, which emphasizes the importance of global partnerships and cooperation to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals.
2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?
- SDG 16.1: Significantly reduce all forms of violence and related death rates everywhere
- SDG 16.3: Promote the rule of law at the national and international levels and ensure equal access to justice for all
- SDG 17.1: Strengthen domestic resource mobilization, including through international support to developing countries, to improve domestic capacity for tax and other revenue collection
- SDG 17.9: Enhance international support for implementing effective and targeted capacity-building in developing countries to support national plans to implement all the Sustainable Development Goals
The targets mentioned above are relevant to the issues discussed in the article. The passage of the aid package aims to reduce violence and promote peace in Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan (SDG 16.1). It also seeks to strengthen the rule of law and ensure equal access to justice (SDG 16.3). Additionally, the provision of aid involves international support and capacity-building for developing countries (SDG 17.1 and SDG 17.9).
3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?
- Violence and death rates in Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan
- Access to justice and rule of law in the recipient countries
- Domestic resource mobilization and revenue collection in developing countries
- Effectiveness of capacity-building efforts in implementing the Sustainable Development Goals
The article does not explicitly mention specific indicators to measure progress towards the identified targets. However, these indicators can be used to assess the impact of the aid package on reducing violence, improving access to justice, enhancing domestic resource mobilization, and supporting capacity-building efforts.
Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
| SDGs | Targets | Indicators |
|---|---|---|
| SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions | 16.1: Significantly reduce all forms of violence and related death rates everywhere 16.3: Promote the rule of law at the national and international levels and ensure equal access to justice for all |
– Violence and death rates in Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan – Access to justice and rule of law in the recipient countries |
| SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals | 17.1: Strengthen domestic resource mobilization, including through international support to developing countries, to improve domestic capacity for tax and other revenue collection 17.9: Enhance international support for implementing effective and targeted capacity-building in developing countries to support national plans to implement all the Sustainable Development Goals |
– Domestic resource mobilization and revenue collection in developing countries – Effectiveness of capacity-building efforts in implementing the Sustainable Development Goals |
Behold! This splendid article springs forth from the wellspring of knowledge, shaped by a wondrous proprietary AI technology that delved into a vast ocean of data, illuminating the path towards the Sustainable Development Goals. Remember that all rights are reserved by SDG Investors LLC, empowering us to champion progress together.
Source: theguardian.com
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