Despite a series of setbacks, the U.S. Senate made a decisive move to approve wartime funding to Ukraine and Israel. Ukraine has been a critical partner for the United States in countering Russian influence in Eastern Europe. This proposed funding will further strengthen Ukraine’s capacity to defend its sovereignty and territorial integrity.
However, by initiating the $95.3 billion foreign aid, the Senate shows its commitment to boosting the security and stability of Ukraine and Israel. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer hailed the recent development as a “good first step.” He also pledged that the Senate would “keep working on this bill — until the job is done.”
In the recent vote, 67 senators supported the funding package, while 27 opposed it. This shows that GOP support for the measure has remained strong, with even more Republicans backing it than the previous vote.
The Senate foresees that winning approval from the Republican-controlled house may be difficult if the bill passes the Senate. They are unsure whether Speaker Mike Johnson and other Republican lawmakers would vote for or against the bill.
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This is because the Republican lawmakers had previously rejected a negotiated compromise package that included military aid and border enforcement policies. Former president Donald Trump has also actively campaigned against passing legislation that could be a victory for President Joe Biden.
After breaking down a bipartisan agreement involving border policy changes, Schumer saved $60 billion for Ukraine and around $35 billion for Israel and other allies. But despite Senate Republicans’ division, Schumer proceeded with the noon-hour vote. His action dared the Ukraine supporters within the Republican party to vote against it.
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Schumer’s efforts paid off, as the vote to start debate on the new package passed with the support of 17 Republicans and Democrats. However, Senator Bernie Sanders, an independent from Vermont who opposes much of the aid for Israel, voted against it.
Some senators even vowed to use all means possible to delay final action. “I’ll object to anything speeding up this rotten foreign spending bill’s passage,” Sen. Rand Paul, a Kentucky Republican, posted on X.
Some GOP members see the foreign aid as a waste of resources. In the past, Ukraine had received military assistance from the U.S. Congress. Now, some Republicans in both the House and Senate have severe doubts about the U.S. sending additional funding for the country. They see the proposed funding as wasteful; instead, they advocate for resolving the conflict through negotiation rather than additional financial support.
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On another note, the $95 billion funding package has been revamped. This week, the Democrats outlined the key allocations: $14 billion in military aid for Israel, additional funding for allies in Asia, and $10 billion designated for humanitarian endeavors in Ukraine, Israel, Gaza, and other regions.
“Failure to pass this bill would only embolden autocrats like Putin and Xi, who want nothing more than America’s decline,” Schumer stated. Initially, Republicans insisted that the package include border policy changes, citing concerns about rampant illegal crossings at the U.S. border.
Notwithstanding, after months of intense bipartisan negotiations, Republicans ultimately rejected the compromise as inadequate. However, some Republicans insist on their demands for border measures.
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