The Senate on Sunday passed further procedural tests on a package of about $95 billion in additional aid to Israel, Ukraine and other allies, inching closer to passing it.
Working in the lead-up to Sunday’s Super Bowl, the Senate in a key 67-27 vote added additional bill language to the shell bill the Senate is using to push legislation beyond the filibuster threshold. It was voted to end the debate on whether or not to do so.
Eighteen Republican members of Congress joined with Democratic members to promote the supplementary bill.
With the procedural hurdles cleared, the Senate is moving closer to an actual vote on whether to pass the national security measure, which is expected to take place this week.
“I can’t remember the last time the Senate was in session for Sunday’s Super Bowl, but as we’ve said all week, we’re committed to working on this bill until the job is done,” said Senate Majority Leader Chuck. I plan on continuing.” said Schumer (D-N.Y.).
After months of wrangling over how to proceed with aid to war-torn Ukraine, the Senate voted last Thursday to begin work on the package.
Republicans have long demanded that any new funding for Ukraine be combined with sweeping border security reforms.
When Senate negotiators unveiled sweeping reforms last week, Republicans quickly shot them down, prompting Mr. Schumer to maneuver for additional No Borders reforms.
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Republicans cited a series of concerns, condemning the policy as woefully inadequate and demanding more time to work on it. Democrats accused former President Donald Trump of tanking it over his concerns about the 2024 election.
The bill introduced Sunday includes about $61 billion for Ukraine, $14 billion for Israel and $4.83 billion for Indo-Pacific allies, as well as language to address the fentanyl crisis. ing.
“It’s no exaggeration to say that the eyes of the world are on the United States Senate,” said Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.).
“We do not intend to use American power frivolously. We do so because it is in our own interest.”
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Mr. McConnell has pushed hard for more aid to Ukraine and has withstood calls for his removal from some incendiaries, including Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas).
The Pentagon estimates that funding for Ukraine has virtually dried up.
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, who visited Washington last week, urged Congress to move forward with the policy.
“If the U.S. Congress fails to support Ukraine, it borders on criminal negligence. It’s outrageous,” Scholz said during a visit to the White House. “There’s so much at stake. So they better step up.”
President Biden asked Congress last August to increase funding to Ukraine again, but Congress has been at a standstill for months.
“As President Zelenskiy has repeatedly reminded us, there is a good chance that President Putin will succeed if America does not help Ukraine. We need to pass this bill quickly and stand firm against this threat,” Schumer added.
If the additional bill passes the Senate, its future in the House will be uncertain.
The House failed to pass the two-thirds vote threshold needed to advance a standalone $17.6 billion Israel aid bill, bypassing the House Rules Committee last week.
