US Senate approves more than $60 billion in aid to Ukraine

On February 13, the Democratic-controlled US Senate passed a bill on an aid package, including more than 60 billion USD for Ukraine.

The US Capitol Building in Washington, DC. Photo: THX/TTXVN

However, the bill is unlikely to pass the Republican-controlled House, where House Speaker Mike Johnson, a Republican, criticized the bill for not including provisions to stem the record flow of migrants across the US-Mexico border.

"The bill before us today will never pass the House, will never become law," Republican Senator Rick Scott said.

The bill includes $61 billion for Ukraine, $14 billion for Israel to fight Hamas, and $4.83 billion to support partners in the Indo-Pacific. It also provides $9.15 billion in humanitarian aid for civilians in Gaza and the West Bank, Ukraine, and other conflict zones around the world.

US Senate lawmakers have been negotiating for months to reach a budget deal to combat illegal immigration, with Republicans demanding increased border security in exchange for more than $60 billion in aid to Ukraine proposed by the White House.

Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell said they would not reach a better budget deal, but many Republicans said President Joe Biden could still change immigration policy through executive orders after the bill is approved.

In October 2023, President Biden called on the US Congress to approve a $106 billion national security budget, tying $61 billion in aid to Ukraine to $14 billion in support for Israel in its campaign against the Hamas Islamist movement. However, the White House's proposals failed to push the US Congress to approve aid to Ukraine and Israel, causing the situation to drag into 2024.

The United States remains the largest military donor to Ukraine, providing tens of billions of dollars in security aid and repeatedly pledging to support Kiev for as long as necessary. But opposition from hard-line Republicans has raised doubts about the ability of the United States to maintain its aid as Ukraine enters its third year of war.

VNA

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