US Senate passes $95 billion Ukraine aid bill, but path ahead unclear

[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.

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.

The U.S. Capitol Building is seen in Washington, U.S., August 15, 2023. REUTERS/Kevin Wurm/File Photo

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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