The US Senate on Sunday presented a new draft aid package for Ukraine and better security of the US borders. The so-called National Security Supplemental Act includes a total of $118.3 billion (109.8 billion euros), including $60 billion for aid to Ukraine. Will this lead to a breakthrough?
This amount matches the White House demand. Also planned are $14.1 billion in aid to Israel and $20.2 billion for border security, according to a summary published by Appropriations Committee Chairman Patty Murray.
First vote on Wednesday
The compromise negotiated by Democrats and Republicans also includes numerous changes to immigration policy. A first vote is expected no later than Wednesday. It is still unclear whether the bill will receive a majority of 60 out of 100 senators in the procedural provisional vote.
US President Joe Biden said he “strongly” supports the deal. The compromise includes “the toughest and fairest border reforms in decades.” Biden called on Congress to “pass the bill expeditiously” so that he could then “pass it immediately.”
However, the bill – even if it passes the Senate – is likely to fail in the House of Representatives. There, opposition Republicans, including many opponents of new aid to Ukraine and opposition to a border compromise with Democrats, form the majority.
Cash flow has dried up for weeks
President Joe Biden’s Democratic Party has been wrestling with Republicans in Congress for weeks over an aid package for Ukraine. In exchange for their approval, Republicans are demanding stricter measures to secure the US border with Mexico. The Conservatives, with their majority in the House of Representatives, can block further funding for Ukraine and border protection legislation.
Biden and his Democrats have been very accommodating to Republicans in negotiations to secure the border with Mexico. Conservatives are still likely to block the border protection and Ukraine package in the House of Representatives. Republican Leader Mike Johnson said a potential deal in the Senate would be “dead on arrival” in the House of Representatives.
Is there hope?
However, he backtracked somewhat on Fox Business on Friday, saying he didn’t want to jump ahead on anything. On Sunday evening, however, Johnson shared: “I’ve seen enough. This bill is even worse than we expected and will not come close to ending the border disaster the president has created.”
Johnson wants to reject the draft:
For Ukraine, whose main military backer in Russia’s war of aggression is the US, the failure of the aid package would be a serious setback.
Source: Krone
I am Wallace Jones, an experienced journalist. I specialize in writing for the world section of Today Times Live. With over a decade of experience, I have developed an eye for detail when it comes to reporting on local and global stories. My passion lies in uncovering the truth through my investigative skills and creating thought-provoking content that resonates with readers worldwide.
