Senates are trying to complete their package prior to their two-week recess, but procedural votes and further negotiations have hindered their schedules.
Trump’s description of the package as “a loan” has angered Republicans, with Kentucky Senator Rand Paul vowing to slow the process down and vote taking place as soon as this week.
Ukraine
Senate Democrats’ decision to move forward with the foreign aid bill despite Republican opposition provides momentum for an aid package that will demonstrate support for allies as Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine nears critical points in its progression. Furthermore, this offers Congress the best chance at replenishing aid that has completely dried up for Ukraine and other allies.
Yet a final vote could still take days as Senate chamber continues its weekend negotiations and GOP Sen. Rand Paul makes every effort to slow the process down and stop any rush for a vote this week. He has pledged all his resources towards that effort.
On Monday evening, a procedural vote could begin debate on the bill; with final voting likely to occur Wednesday morning. It would allocate $60 billion for Ukraine to defend its sovereignty; $14 billion would help Israel combat an expanding Hamas threat; and $4.83 billion would help support Indo-Pacific partners against China’s aggression.
Israel
After several weeks of uncertainty, the Senate on Sunday passed a stripped-down version of a foreign aid package to support Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan. This vote provided hope that it may finally pass, although its fate in the House remains to be seen.
The bipartisan bill would provide the Ukraine government with enough funding to replace nearly depleted artillery and ammunition stocks, strengthen intelligence capabilities, fight drug trafficking and terrorism and fight drug trafficking and terrorism. Furthermore, $14 billion would go directly to Israel with some allocated to U.S. allies like Philippines and Australia as well.
Senate lawmakers appear to support these goals with considerable bipartisan consensus; however, in the House where Republican Speaker Mike Johnson remains noncommittal on supporting additional foreign aid for Ukraine. Some Republicans have been critical of how Obama and Biden handled Russia crisis as well as any additional support pushed forth for Ukraine by Democratic president Joe Biden.
Taiwan
Senate members voted Thursday to start discussing a foreign aid package worth $60 billion for Ukraine, $14 billion for Israel, and millions in aid for allies in the Indo-Pacific. Democratic leaders Chuck Schumer and Mitch McConnell pushed hard for approval of such legislation, warning that failure to do so would put America’s allies at risk and give China a green light to exert power in this part of Asia.
The bill did not include changes that both parties had agreed upon as part of the negotiations for aid to Ukraine, sparking complaints from Republicans who say Congress must address record migrant crossings at the U.S.-Mexico border before authorizing financial assistance to Kiev.
Some Republicans, such as Rand Paul of Kentucky, have pledged to block legislation until Congress addresses its cause; others such as John Thune of South Dakota supported a procedural vote to start debate over it.
The Senate’s Final Vote
After several setbacks, Senate leaders made progress towards final passage of their foreign aid supplemental bill on Thursday, though its future depends on whether Republicans support it despite including billions for Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan as well as border security provisions that appealed to conservative senators.
McConnell recently used Ukraine aid as the centerpiece of a meeting with his caucus, which is currently divided over supporting legislation related to it. Unfortunately, Kentucky Republican has yet to find an approach for unifying his conference around a plan that addresses Trump’s comments on NATO and U.S.-China rivalry issues, particularly how best to handle Russia’s aggression.
McConnell has sought to move quickly on the foreign aid bill, yet pro-Ukraine Republicans are holding out for an agreement and swift amendment votes before signing off on it. Without such an accord, the bill may not make its way through committee before lawmakers head out for two week recess starting Wednesday.
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