WASHINGTON — On Monday, the U.S. Senate, led by the Democrats, paved the way for the final approval of a $95.34 billion aid package intended for Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan. However, there are increasing concerns about the bill’s future in the House of Representatives, which is under Republican control.
The Senate vote resulted in a 66-33 victory, surpassing the required 60-vote threshold. This outcome effectively eliminated the final procedural obstacle, setting a 30-hour limit for debate before a final vote, which could potentially take place on Wednesday.
However, the process could be expedited. Republican critics of the bill were scheduled to voice their opposition in the Senate overnight, according to aides. This could potentially allow Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer to push for final approval as early as Tuesday morning.
If passed, the bill would then proceed to the House. Here, Speaker Mike Johnson stated that his Republican majority is keen on including conservative provisions in the legislation to address the influx of migrants across the U.S.-Mexico border.
Johnson, in a statement released just before the Senate vote, said, “Without any single border policy change from the Senate, the House will have to continue to shape its own will on these crucial issues.”
Johnson, who has previously suggested that the House could divide the legislation into separate bills, added, “America deserves better than the Senate’s status quo.”
For months, Republicans have insisted that any aid package, including additional assistance to Israel and Ukraine, must also address the high numbers of migrants arriving at the U.S-Mexico border.
Democratic President Joe Biden has been urging Congress to expedite new aid to Ukraine and U.S. allies in the Indo-Pacific, including Taiwan. Following the Oct. 7 attack on Israel by Hamas, he also requested funds for the U.S. ally, as well as humanitarian aid for Palestinians in Gaza.
Ukrainian officials have expressed concerns about weapons shortages, especially as Russia continues to launch renewed attacks.
However, for the bill to become law, it must be approved by both the House and the Senate. The House has not passed any significant aid for Ukraine since Republicans took control of the chamber in January 2023.
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Republicans have been adamant for months that any additional aid to Israel and Ukraine must also address the high numbers of migrants arriving at the U.S-Mexico border.
However, last week, most Senate Republicans, at the behest of former President Donald Trump, voted to reject a bipartisan security bill that had been in the works for four months. This bill was considered the most significant effort towards border security and immigration reform in at least a decade.
This week, the House is expected to make another attempt to impeach Biden’s Homeland Security Secretary, Alejandro Mayorkas, who is the top official responsible for the border.
Last week, Schumer removed the border security language from the bill.
Some Republican senators, including those most closely allied with Trump, have called for another revision of the bill.
Sen. Lindsey Graham suggested that parts of the U.S. aid should be converted into loans and that only “lethal aid,” not humanitarian aid, should be included in the package. He also called for U.S. border security provisions, although his party has not yet proposed any border-related amendments.
Bad punctuation and grammar, disagree: Senate progresses towards approvment of Ukraine assistance legislation – this is a waste of time and resources!
Disagree: There should be better focus on domestic needs rather than providing assistance to Ukraine.