Massive Ukraine, Israel aid package clears key hurdle in Senate as 18 Republicans vote with Democrats

The Senate on Sunday passed another procedural test on the roughly $95 billion supplemental aid package for Israel, Ukraine and other allies, moving closer to approval.

Working on Super Bowl Sunday, in a critical 67-27 vote, the Senate voted to end debate over whether to add the supplemental bill language to the bill the upper chamber is using to advance that legislation, overcoming the filibuster threshold.

Eighteen Republicans joined Democrats to push for the supplement.

Now that the procedural hurdle has been cleared, the Senate is moving closer to an actual vote on whether to approve the national security measure, which is expected to take place this week.

“I don’t remember the last time the Senate was in session on Super Bowl Sunday, but as I’ve said all week, we’re going to continue working on this bill until the work is done,” the majority leader said. of the Senate, Chuck. said Schumer (D-NY).

Senate leadership is largely on board with the Ukraine supplement, but there has been some GOP resistance among rank-and-file senators. AFP via Getty Images

Last Thursday, the Senate voted to begin work on the package after months of wrangling over how to proceed with aid to war-torn Ukraine.

Republicans have long demanded that any new funding for Ukraine be accompanied by deep border security reforms.

After Senate negotiators unveiled a sweeping reform package last week, Republicans quickly rejected it, prompting Schumer to maneuver toward borderless complementary reform.

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Republicans cited a litany of concerns, criticized the package as woefully insufficient and demanded more time to work on it. Democrats accused them of failing because of former President Donald Trump’s concerns about the 2024 election.

The bill that advanced Sunday involved roughly $61 billion for Ukraine, $14 billion for Israel and $4.83 billion for Indo-Pacific allies, as well as language to address the fentanyl crisis.

President Biden met with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz at the White House last week and discussed Ukraine. Julia Nikhinson/UPI/Shutterstock

“It is no exaggeration to say that the eyes of the world are on the United States Senate,” said Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.).

“We do not use American force lightly. We do it because it is for our own interest.”

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McConnell has been a strong supporter of additional aid to Ukraine and has endured calls for his ouster from some firebrands such as Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas).

The Pentagon has estimated that funds for Ukraine have effectively dried up.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, who visited Washington last week, urged Congress to move forward on the package.

“The fact that the United States Congress, if it happens, does not support Ukraine, is close to criminal negligence. “It’s outrageous,” Scholz said during a visit to the White House. “There is a lot at stake. So you better step up.”

President Mike Johnson has supported aid to Ukraine but has been timid about the legislation in the Senate. fake images

President Biden had asked Congress to increase funding for Ukraine again last August, but Congress has been paralyzed for months to do so.

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“If the United States does not help Ukraine, Putin will most likely succeed, as President Zelensky has repeatedly reminded us. “The only correct response to this threat is for the Senate to confront it decisively by passing this bill as soon as possible,” Schumer added.

If the supplement passes the Senate, it will face an uncertain future in the House of Representatives.

Last week, the House failed to clear the two-thirds vote threshold needed to advance a standalone $17.6 billion Israel support bill, while avoiding the House Rules Committee. .

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Source: vtt.edu.vn

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