US SENATE PASSES $95 BLN AID BILL FOR UKRAINE, ISRAEL AND TAIWAN The lawmakers approved the measure in a 70-29 vote
The Democratic-led U.S. Senate passed a $95.34 billion aid package for Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan, amid growing doubts about the legislation’s fate in the Republican-controlled House of Representatives.
The lawmakers approved the measure in a 70-29 vote that exceeded the chamber’s 60-vote threshold for passage and sent the legislation on to the House. Twenty-two Republicans joined most Democrats to support the bill.
The Senate vote occurred before sunrise, after eight hardline Republican opponents of Ukraine aid held an overnight marathon of speeches that dominated the chamber floor for more than six hours.
Democratic President Joe Biden has been urging Congress to hurry the new aid to Ukraine and U.S. partners in the Indo-Pacific, including Taiwan, for months. After Hamas’ Oct. 7 attack on Israel, he also requested funds for the U.S. ally, along with humanitarian aid for Palestinians in Gaza.
Ukrainian officials have also warned of weapons shortages at a time when Russia is pressing ahead with renewed attacks.
Both houses of Congress must approve the legislation before Biden can sign it into law.
But the bill appears to face long odds of getting to the floor of the House, where Republican Speaker Mike Johnson faulted it for lacking conservative provisions to stem a record flow of migrants across the U.S.-Mexico border.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy welcomed U.S .Senate decision to pass $95 billion Ukraine aid bill.