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The On the Hill: Breaking Down DC podcast is a collection of sharing more about what’s happening in DC without the bias, ways for you to get involved with the US government, and interviews with friends, colleagues who can help pull back the proverbial curtain of Washington, DC. Katherine Getty, host of the OTH podcast, is a 10-year Washingtonian who lives and breathes politics.
Katherine Getty 0:01
Hi, and welcome to the on the Hill podcast with me your host, Katherine Getty. Each Thursday, I'll peel back the curtain of what happens in Washington, from breaking down current events without bias, to interviews with fellow political nerds, and even and maybe most importantly, ways for you to get involved with our US government. Welcome back to another episode of The on the Hill podcast with me your host, Katherine Getty, following the historic launch of missiles by Iran and its proxies operating out of Yemen, Syria and Iraq. Congress over the last week has approved a supplemental funding packages, a group of some supplemental funding to support Ukraine, Israel Indo Pacific region, along with the bill that combined a myriad of other bills, including a bill requiring the divestment of Tiktok. So if you feel like you've heard about a funding bell to support Ukraine and Israel, going through the Senate, you're not wrong. Back in February, the Senate passed a $95 billion package that would support Ukraine and Israel, nearly the same total that is going through Congress House and the Senate this week. So what's in the package? And what does it mean for our friends and allies around the world? Well, I have the download for you. So this week's episode is a brief breakdown of the packages and what's next. In the package. The the total was I said $95 billion for this package that was going through, there was four separate bills that went through the house, that then if all were approved, would be packaged up and sent over to the Senate was a procedural way that the House chose to proceed. So for Ukraine, there is $61 billion dollars for Ukraine, its in its regional partners. And $23 billion of that was through a punish us is the US weapon stocks and facilities, so replenishment of our own supplies, because we are giving over to the Ukrainians in support of their, you know, defense against the brutal invasion by Russia. So I think that's a really important call out because you hear about foreign aid, you're like how does this impact not only our allies, but also us. So 23 billion of that was for US stocks. And during passage. So the house actually worked over the weekend, Saturday of last week, and Ukrainian presidents shared the vital US aid, passed today by the House will keep the war from expanding, save 1000s and 1000s of lives and help both of our nations become stronger. But it's unclear how quickly this new military funding for Ukraine will be depleted. We have offered a lot of you a lot of support to Ukraine. Time will tell how fast this next $61 billion will go. And likely causing calls for further action. But for right now, another $61 billion has passed out of the house. And as I'm recording, this is going to head to the Senate and then likely pass the Senate and head to the to the desk of the President. That's along with three other bills. So though, that went out of the house, and I know this is a little confusing, it's basically there was four, they're going to if they all pass, they become one to go to the Senate. I'm recording as the House has passed all four, they're becoming one and going to the Senate. So the second one is a $26 billion for Israel with $9.1 billion of that being for humanitarian needs for the for the region. The next next bill was $8 billion for the Indo Pacific. So think Taiwan, ensuring that, you know, there is continued to be a focus on the influence of China and America. What does that mean? What does it mean them around the world for those countries that are neighboring China, this $8 billion to help support some of our friends and allies around the world. And the last bill that went through the House would allow for the sale of frozen assets by Russian oligarchs that could help fund future aid to Ukraine. It could, like I said, force the divestment of Tiktok. This is a measure that's already passed by the House. There are a ton of national security concerns around it does not ban Tiktok. Rather, it ensures that we know as Americans that our IP, our facial recognition, what we're doing where we're at, what our algorithm is showing us is from either America, an American company, or a company or a country that we don't have concern with, and the last part of the fourth bill would authorize stricter sanctions for Russia, China and Iran. So like I said, I'm recording this on Sunday. This is as the House has passed all four of these based on a procedural role in the house. they'll now be packaged up as one and sent over to the Senate where Are we likely expect the Senate to pass and then the President to sign it? I call attention to this because one, it has been a huge part of the last week in Congress. I think it also pulls together months of negotiations, like I said, the Senate had already passed a bill that was 91 $95 billion. But the house had different views on how that age should be structured. You see, and the new Ukrainian a that a part of the $61 billion is a $10 billion basically loan. You know, I think you see Republicans just wanting to ensure there's more oversight, but still wanting to provide aid. Now, that's not all Republicans, you'll definitely see those Republicans that have concerns about providing additional aid. X us. But this draws to a close Minh to negotiation and provides our friends and allies the needed aid in this time. You know, will I say this is going to be the last supplemental a package for Israel, Ukraine, Indo Pacific, I can't say that. I think this shows our values. You know, I'm going to talk next week a little bit more about some of the activities that have been happening continue to happen kind of as the supplemental package is coming together, another part of the fiscal year 2025 appropriations process is going on. But remember this budget in Washington equals where your values where do you value spending taxpayer hard earned taxpayer dollars? So more to come on that. Thanks so much for tuning into this week, where we covered what is this recent supplemental funding bill? What's in it what who does it support? Why is it important and I hope it kind of tees up next week's episode about the fiscal 2025 appropriations process and where we're at in that. Thanks again for tuning into this week's episode of The on the Hill podcast. If you want to learn more about me, my handle on Instagram is at Katherine Getty. If you want to learn more about the podcast and follow along, it's on the Hill DC podcast. Thanks so much and see you next week.
Transcribed by https://otter.ai