The Senate overcame another procedural test on an additional $95 billion aid package for Israel, Ukraine, and other allies Sunday, moving closer to passage.
Working on Super Bowl Sunday, in a critical 67-27 vote, the Senate voted to end debate on whether to add additional bill language to the shell bill used by the upper chamber to advance the legislation, passing the filibuster threshold. .
Eighteen Republicans joined with Democrats to advance the addition.
Now that the procedural hurdles have been cleared, the Senate is getting closer to the actual vote on whether or not to approve the national security measure — which is expected to take place this week.
“I can’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 keep working on this bill until the job is done,” Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) said.
Senate leadership is largely on board with Ukraine’s extradition program, but there is some GOP opposition 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 continue aid to war-torn Ukraine.
Republicans have long demanded that any new funding for Ukraine be combined with deep border security reforms.
After Senate negotiators unveiled a sweeping reform package last week, Republicans quickly rejected it, prompting Schumer to move toward additional border reform.
Republicans cited a range of concerns, blasting the package as woefully inadequate and demanding more time to complete it. Democrats accused them of impeaching him because of former President Donald Trump’s concerns about the 2024 election.
The bill introduced Sunday includes about $61 billion for Ukraine, $14 billion for Israel, and $4.83 billion for the Indo-Pacific ally, 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 power indiscriminately. We do it because it is in our own interest.”
McConnell has been a strong supporter of additional aid to Ukraine and has received calls for its removal from 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 advance the package.
“The failure of the United States Congress, if it happened, not to support Ukraine, is close to criminal neglect. It’s outrageous,” Scholz said during a White House visit. “So much is at stake. So, it’s better that they get promoted.”
Speaker Mike Johnson has supported aid to Ukraine but has been shy about legislation in the Senate. Getty Images
President Biden had asked Congress to restore funding for Ukraine last August, but Congress has been blocked from doing so for months.
“If America does not help Ukraine, Putin will most likely succeed, as President Zelensky has repeatedly reminded us. The only proper response to this threat is for the Senate to meet it unflinchingly by passing this bill as quickly as possible,” Schumer added.
If the amendment passes the Senate, it will face an uncertain future in the House of Representatives.
Last week, the lower house failed to clear the two-thirds threshold needed to advance a stand-alone $17.6 billion Israel support bill while bypassing the House Rules Committee.
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Source: thtrangdai.edu.vn/en/
