WASHINGTON: The Democratic-led US Senate on Tuesday (Feb 13) handed a US$95.34 billion aid package for Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan, though it confronted an unsure path forward within the Republican-controlled Home of Representatives.
The lawmakers authorized the measure in a 70-29 vote that comfortably exceeded the chamber’s 60-vote threshold for passage and despatched the laws on to the Home. Twenty-two Republicans joined most Democrats to assist the Invoice.
“It is actually been years, maybe a long time, for the reason that Senate has handed a Invoice that so significantly impacts not simply our nationwide safety, not simply the safety of our allies, however the safety of Western democracy,” Senate Majority Chief Chuck Schumer mentioned within the Senate shortly after the predawn vote.
Schumer informed a information convention afterward Tuesday he was assured the Invoice would move the Home with assist from each events if Republican Speaker Mike Johnson would permit a vote.
“I name on Speaker Johnson to rise to the event, to do the best factor: Convey this Invoice to the ground rapidly,” Schumer mentioned.
It was not clear that Johnson would accomplish that, having issued a press release earlier than the Senate vote faulting it for missing conservative provisions to stem a document stream of migrants throughout the US-Mexico border.
Ukraine management sees the funding as essential because it continues to repel Russian assaults and tries to maintain its battered financial system going because the war nears its third year. US President Joe Biden has been pushing Congress to move extra assist for Ukraine for months, however has confronted opposition from Republican hardliners, notably within the Home.
The Home has not handed main help for Ukraine since Republicans took management of the chamber in January 2023.
The Senate vote occurred earlier than dawn, after eight hardline Republican opponents of Ukraine assist held a marathon of speeches that dominated the chamber flooring from Monday afternoon into the early hours on Tuesday.
The bundle additionally contains funds for Israel, humanitarian assist for Palestinians in Gaza and funds to assist Taiwan and different US companions within the Indo-Pacific get up towards China.
Ukrainian officers have warned of weapons shortages at a time when Russia is urgent forward with renewed assaults.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy rapidly hailed passage of the Invoice. “American help brings simply peace in Ukraine nearer and restores world stability, leading to elevated safety and prosperity for all Individuals and all of the free world,” Zelenskyy mentioned on the social platform X.
Each homes of Congress should approve the laws earlier than Biden can signal it into legislation.
