The Senate on Tuesday has begun consideration of a package to deliver $95 billion in foreign aid to Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan.
The package provides roughly $26 billion for Israel, currently at war with Hamas in Gaza; as well as $61 billion for Ukraine and $8 billion for allies in the Indo-Pacific.
Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell, who has long been a vocal supporter of Ukraine aid, spoke on the floor Tuesday morning about the United States’ “global responsibilities” — including helping Ukraine in its fight against Russia.
Failure to help Ukraine stand against Russian aggression now means inviting escalation against our closest treaty allies and trading partners,” McConnell said.
Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., said he wants to offer amendments to the bill to strip out offensive aid to Israel, calling its government “extremist.”
Sanders asked Tuesday of the unconditioned Israel aid.
Sanders said he “strongly supports” other elements of the package, including aid to Ukraine.
It’s been more than a year since Congress approved new aid for Ukraine in its fight against Russian invaders.
On Tuesday, the Senate started debating a package that would provide Taiwan, Israel, and the Ukraine with $95 billion in foreign aid.
With support from both parties, the four bills that make up the legislation were approved by the House over the weekend. The Senate was urged by President Joe Biden to move the bills quickly to his desk.
About $26 billion of the package goes to Israel, which is at war with Hamas in Gaza, $61 billion goes to Ukraine, and $8 billion goes to allies in the Indo-Pacific region. A bill that would require a U.S. s. prohibit TikTok if its Chinese parent company doesn’t sell it; apply sanctions to China, Iran, and Russia; and seize Russian property to aid Ukraine in recovering from the devastation caused by the conflict.
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer urged his colleagues to complete the task “as expeditiously as possible” when discussing the package on the floor Tuesday morning. He stated that “the time has come to finish the job to help our friends abroad once and for all.”. “.
Let’s not put this off. So let’s not drag this out. Let’s not waste any more time keeping our friends around the globe in suspense,” Schumer stated.
Prior to the Senate’s announcement that it would end its recess early to hold its first vote on advancing the bills on Tuesday, Schumer had praised the House’s passage of the bills as a “watershed moment for the defense of democracy.”. It is anticipated that the bills will pass final this week.
In a statement on Saturday, Schumer said, “To our friends in Ukraine, to our allies in NATO, to allies in Israel, and to civilians around the world in need of aid: rest assured America will deliver yet again.”.
Sen. Mitch McConnell, the Republican leader of the Senate and a longtime advocate of aiding Ukraine, discussed the US’s “global responsibilities” on the floor Tuesday morning, including supporting Ukraine in its conflict with Russia.
“On behalf of the entire country, the Senate convenes today for a test. It’s an assessment of American tenacity. We are prepared and eager to take the lead. Furthermore, it is very evident what the consequences of failing are. We invite escalation against our closest treaty allies and trading partners if we do not assist Ukraine in resisting Russian aggression immediately, McConnell stated.
The Senate, McConnell continued, “faces a test. And we can’t let it down. “.
Mr. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt. declared that he intends to propose changes to the bill that would remove offensive aid to Israel, labeling its government as “extremist.”. “.
“While U. S. Regarding the unconditional aid to Israel, Sanders questioned on Tuesday, “Do taxpayers want to be complicit in [Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin] Netanyahu’s unprecedented and savage military campaign against the Palestinian people?
Other components of the package, such as aid to Ukraine, Sanders said he “strongly supports.”.
Congress last approved additional funding for Ukraine to combat Russian invasion more than a year ago. The conflict has escalated in the past few weeks as more Russian strikes have been successful and Ukraine’s air defenses are being depleted.
Monday, President Biden spoke with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy of Ukraine to reaffirm U. S. aid to the country. In his own statement, Zelenskyy stated, “I have the assurance of [Biden] that it will be fast and powerful and will strengthen our anti-aircraft, long-range, and artillery capabilities.” He added that the administration will offer fresh support for Ukraine as soon as the bills pass Congress. ****.
For his steadfast support of Ukraine and his genuine global leadership, Zelenskyy expressed his gratitude to Biden. “.
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N., and House Speaker Mike Johnson, whose stance on Ukraine aid has changed from demanding adjustments to border and immigration laws to collaborating with Democrats to pass the most recent bills, were praised by the Ukrainian leader. You Y.
More aid for Israel, Ukraine, and the Indo-Pacific region was first sought by Biden last autumn. A $95 billion bill that had been approved by the Senate in February ran into a deadlock in the House due to a group of hard-line Republicans who were against increasing resources being sent abroad without addressing issues that were more locally relevant, such as immigration.
However, a broad Senate agreement to link foreign aid to these changes was opposed by former President Donald Trump and rejected by conservatives as inadequate. Meanwhile, GOP leaders like Johnson echoed these concerns and had pushed for significant changes to immigration policy.
Then, following Iran’s historic attacks on Israel earlier this month in retaliation for a strike on an Iranian consular complex in Syria, and as Russian forces continued to make offensive gains, pressure mounted on lawmakers to approve aid to foreign allies.
After previously opposing further aid for Ukraine, Speaker Johnson stated last week that he was “willing” to risk his job on the matter in light of impending Republican repudiation threats. Thomas Massie, Paul Gosar, and Marjorie Taylor Greene.
For the reversal, Johnson received praise from both parties.
“It seems that he attempted to follow the wishes of the Freedom Caucus. It was not going to work in the White House or the Senate, according to Republican Rep. The House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman, Michael McCaul, stated on ABC’s “This Week” on Sunday. “At the end of the day, time was becoming scarce.”. Ukraine is poised for collapse. “.
McCaul claimed that Johnson’s views on the matter “went through a transformation.”.
This report was assisted by Sarah Beth Hensley of ABC News.
