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The Democratic-led U.S. Senate has taken significant strides towards the final passage of a $95.34 billion aid package aimed at supporting Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan. Despite this progress, uncertainties loom over the fate of the legislation in the Republican-controlled House of Representatives.
In a decisive move, senators voted 66-33 to surpass the 60-vote threshold, overcoming the last procedural hurdle before the bill’s final consideration. While Senate leaders anticipated a vote on passage by Wednesday, the proceedings took an unexpected turn on Monday night. Hardline Republicans, opposed to further U.S. aid for Ukraine, embarking on a marathon of speeches on the Senate floor. This move is expected to extend debate time into early Tuesday morning, paving the way for Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer to advance the bill later in the day.
However, the road to approval remains challenging as both houses of Congress must endorse the legislation before it can be signed into law by Democratic President Joe Biden. Speaker Mike Johnson, representing the Republican majority in the House, underscored the party’s stance, emphasizing the need for conservative provisions to address the influx of migrants across the U.S.-Mexico border.
Johnson’s statement, issued just before Senate voting commenced, hinted at potential hurdles in the House. He asserted the House’s prerogative to chart its own course on crucial matters in the absence of substantial border policy changes from the Senate. The looming question of the bill’s fate in the House has spurred speculation, with suggestions that it could be split into separate bills to garner support.
Senator John Thune, expressed uncertainty regarding the House’s course of action, particularly regarding provisions concerning Israel. Meanwhile, Senator Ron Johnson, a staunch opponent of the legislation, painted a grim picture, suggesting insider sources had indicated the bill’s unlikely passage in the House.
The aid package encompasses substantial allocations, including $61 billion for Ukraine, $14 billion for Israel’s conflict with Hamas, and $4.83 billion to bolster partners in the Indo-Pacific, particularly Taiwan, amid rising tensions with China. Additionally, the bill earmarks $9.15 billion in humanitarian assistance for conflict zones worldwide, including Gaza and the West Bank.
The legislation’s journey through Congress has been fraught with challenges, particularly surrounding demands for border restrictions. Despite bipartisan efforts to negotiate a border deal, disagreements arose after former President Donald Trump rejected the agreement. Schumer subsequently removed the border security provisions from the bill last week, amid ongoing debates over the allocation of aid and security measures.
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