The Republicans only want to agree to further aid payments to Ukraine and Israel in combination with stricter migration laws. The problem: a package that took their wishes into account was rejected. Now the debate seems to be starting up again.
In the US, a new $1 billion US aid package to Ukraine and Israel could fail in Congress. Republican Speaker of the US House of Representatives Mike Johnson said on Monday (local time) that his chamber would not approve the current version of the Senate bill.
The reason: The draft does not address “the most pressing issue facing our country” — which refers to securing the U.S. border with Mexico. It was the Republicans who recently failed a package of measures tailored to their wishes at the insistence of Donald Trump.
Billions are stuck
The new package with a total volume of 95 billion dollars (88 billion euros) contains military aid to Ukraine worth around 60 billion dollars (almost 56 billion euros). Israel must be supported with 14 billion dollars (13 billion euros) in the fight against the Islamist Hamas, and further funds are intended for US ally Taiwan, among others. Money for securing the U.S. border with Mexico is not included.
Opposition Republicans have been blocking the release of billions more in aid to Ukraine for months. Many right-wing Republican hardliners are against new aid to Ukraine. The Republicans, who form the majority in the House of Representatives, are demanding a new, strict migration policy in exchange for accepting the aid package.
The package never reached the House of Representatives
Last Wednesday, the old legislative package totaling $118 billion, which in addition to aid to Ukraine and funds for Israel also included more money to secure the US border with Mexico, had already failed in the Senate.
Tying foreign aid to the issue of U.S. border security was originally a concession from Democrats to Republicans. However, former US President Donald Trump, who is seeking another term, called for the bill to be rejected because he wants to use the border policy as an election issue.
First vote on Wednesday
The Democrats then decided to submit a separate bill with aid to Ukraine and Israel. The Senate vote was scheduled for this week. But according to Johnson’s statements, this package is also in danger of failing in the House of Representatives at the latest.
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.
