Ukraine aid package passes key procedural vote in US Senate

The $95 billion package includes funding for Israel’s fight against Hamas. (document)

Washington:

A sweeping U.S. foreign aid package that includes $60 billion for Ukraine passed a key procedural vote on Sunday, despite opposition from right-wing Republicans that could prevent it from becoming law.

The $95 billion package includes funding for Israel’s fight against Hamas operatives and key strategic ally Taiwan, but the lion’s share will help pro-Western Ukraine replenish depleted supplies of ammunition, weapons and other supplies as the war enters its third year critical requirements.

The Senate, where Democrats hold a slim majority, voted 67-27 to break a procedural hold on the bill, making it almost certain it will pass a final simple-majority vote around midweek.

It’s unusual for the Senate to hold a vote on a weekend, with Sunday’s meeting also coinciding with the all-important NFL championship game.

“I can’t remember the last time the Senate met on Super Bowl Sunday, but as I’ve said all week, we will continue to work on this bill until the work is done,” said Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer. expressed before the vote.

“As we speak, Vladimir Putin’s invasion of Ukraine has transformed parts of Eastern Europe into a war zone the likes of which we have not seen in these regions since World War II,” the New York senator said.

“The only right answer to this threat is for the Senate to stand firm and pass this bill as quickly as possible.”

The aid appeared to be dead on Wednesday after Republicans rejected an earlier version that tacked on many of the U.S.-Mexico border security measures they had been advocating for months.

Under pressure from former President Donald Trump, who is running for office again and hoping to exploit Joe Biden’s weaknesses on immigration, Republicans appear determined to halt any border reform before the November election.

But Republican senators softened Thursday in a dramatic vote after Democrats completely decoupled Ukraine aid from border issues.

Border breach failed

There was little agreement between the two parties before the election. Much of the dysfunction, however, is squarely attributable to Trump, who looks almost certain to be the Republican leader in November despite losing the presidency to Biden in 2020 and being embroiled in multiple criminal charges. Flag bearer.

Senate Republicans initially demanded border security as a condition of support for pro-Western Ukraine as it battles an invasion launched by Putin in February 2022.

But Trump accused Biden of failing to resolve border issues and was deeply skeptical of Ukraine aid.

The hard-fought bipartisan compromise — which combined Ukrainian and Israeli funding with the toughest immigration restrictions in decades — was initially seen as a breakthrough on some of the most important issues facing the country.

However, the plan collapsed within days of its release over the weekend, with Trump warning lawmakers to reject it.

Then in a campaign speech on Saturday, he threatened to stop defending NATO countries that failed to meet spending commitments, prompting Biden to slam his “shocking and dangerous” comments and warn that Republicans intended to “fund more” for Putin. A green light for war and violence.” “

Even if foreign aid passes the Senate, it will still need to pass the more Trump-friendly House of Representatives.

Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson has not yet said whether he would be willing to bring a foreign aid-only bill to a vote.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky posted on day”.

(This story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)