US Senate passes $95 billion Ukraine aid bill, but path ahead unclear
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[February 13, 2024]
By David Morgan
WASHINGTON (Reuters) -The Democratic-led U.S. Senate on Tuesday passed a
$95.34 billion aid package for Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan, though it
faced an uncertain path ahead in the Republican-controlled House of
Representatives.
The lawmakers approved the measure in a 70-29 vote that exceeded the
chamber's 60-vote threshold for passage and sent the legislation on to
the House. Twenty-two Republicans joined most Democrats to support the
bill.
"It's certainly been years, perhaps decades, since the Senate has passed
a bill that so greatly impacts not just our national security, not just
the security of our allies, but the security of western democracy,"
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said.
Ukraine leadership sees the funding as crucial as it continues to repel
Russian attacks and tries to keep its battered economy going as the war
nears its third year. U.S. President Joe Biden has been pushing for the
package for months, but has faced opposition from Republican hardliners,
particularly in the House.
The Senate vote occurred before sunrise, after eight hardline Republican
opponents of Ukraine aid held an overnight marathon of speeches that
dominated the chamber floor for more than six hours.
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The package also includes funds for Israel, humanitarian aid for
Palestinians in Gaza and defense of Taiwan.
Ukrainian officials have warned of weapons shortages at a time when
Russia is pressing ahead with renewed attacks.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy quickly hailed passage of the
bill. "American assistance brings just peace in Ukraine closer and
restores global stability, resulting in increased security and
prosperity for all Americans and all the free world," Zelenskiy said on
the social platform X.
Both houses of Congress must approve the legislation before Biden can
sign it into law.
ROCKY ROAD AHEAD
It's not clear that Republican Speaker Mike Johnson will even bring the
bill to a vote, having faulted it for lacking conservative provisions to
stem a record flow of migrants across the U.S.-Mexico border.
Senate Republicans last week blocked a bill that would have coupled aid
for Ukraine and other allies with the most sweeping changes to border
policy in decades, after Donald Trump, the frontrunner for the
Republican presidential nomination, loudly criticized that deal.
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The U.S. Capitol Building is seen in Washington, U.S., August 15,
2023. REUTERS/Kevin Wurm/File Photo
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Backers of the Ukraine aid package have been warily watching Trump's
reaction. So far the former president has criticized it on social
media, saying it should take the form of a loan, and also worried
U.S. allies over the weekend by suggesting he could encourage
aggression against NATO members who he believes don't pay their dues
to NATO.
"In the absence of having received any single border policy change
from the Senate, the House will have to continue to work its own
will on these important matters," Johnson said in a statement issued
late on Monday.
"America deserves better than the Senate's status quo," said
Johnson, who has suggested in the past that the House could split
the legislation into separate bills.
Senator John Thune, the chamber's No. 2 Republican, said it was not
clear what Johnson would do.
"The House, I assume, is going to move on something. Obviously,
they're going to address Israel," Thune said.
Hardline Republicans predicted that the Senate legislation would be
dead on arrival in the House.
"The bill before us today ... will never pass in the House, will
never become law," Republican Senator Rick Scott of Florida said in
an early morning floor speech.
The legislation includes $61 billion for Ukraine, $14 billion for
Israel in its war against Hamas and $4.83 billion to support
partners in the Indo-Pacific, including Taiwan, and deter aggression
by China.
It would also provide $9.15 billion in humanitarian assistance to
civilians in Gaza and the West Bank, Ukraine and other conflict
zones around the globe.
(Reporting by David Morgan; Additional reporting by Yuliia Dysa in
Gdansk, Poland; and Richard Cowan, Patricia Zengerle and Makini
Brice in Washington; Editing by Scott Malone and Sharon Singleton)
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