Senators got one step closer to enacting a foreign aid bill in spite of resistance from former US President Donald Trump. Narrowly divided in the face of growing resistance from Republican hardliners and former US President Donald Trump, the US Senate moved closer to enacting a $95.34 billion aid package for Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan.
The Democratic-led Senate cleared the most recent procedural obstacle on Sunday by voting 67-27, advancing the foreign aid measure toward a final vote on passage in the coming days. After Trump, the front-runner for the Republican nomination for president, attacked the bill on social media and suggested that the foreign aid should be in the form of a loan, eighteen Republicans supported the law.
President Joe Biden, a Democrat who has been requesting assistance for several months, declared on Friday that Congress would be committing "neglect" if the bill was not passed.
$61 billion will go toward Ukraine, $14 billion will back Israel in its fight against Hamas, and $4.83 billion will support allies in the Indo-Pacific region, particularly Taiwan, and prevent a Chinese invasion. In addition, it would give $9.15 billion in humanitarian aid to people living in Gaza, the West Bank, Ukraine, and other war areas worldwide.
Vital for the Ukraine
As we approach the second anniversary of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, Kyiv sees the money as vital.
If the US Senate approves the bill, it will move to the House of Representatives, which is controlled by Republicans, where its future is unknown.
A bipartisan delegation of House legislators promised to contribute to the measure's passage during their visit to Kiev on Friday.
Republicans in the Senate feel that bipartisan passage would encourage support from their counterparts in the House.
The environment will be altered so that more Republicans feel at ease proposing the legislation, Indiana Republican Senator Todd Young told reporters.
Republicans are pushing amendments that would limit foreign aid to weapons and supplies, ignore clauses pertaining to humanitarian assistance, and address the surge in migration across the US-Mexico border.
However, several Republicans who are against providing more aid to Ukraine have promised to stall consideration by making the Senate follow a complex web of time-consuming parliamentary procedures.
It's imperative to keep up American support. And I appreciate that our American allies are aware of this. In a statement posted on his social media accounts on Saturday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenksyy stated, "We cannot allow Russian war and evil to spread."
Vladimir Putin, the president of Russia, only becomes sober when he perceives strength. It takes strength. Everyone who contributes to our increase has my gratitude," Zelenskyy remarked.