By Deutsche Welle
12 Feb 2024, 07:47 AM EST
A comprehensive US foreign aid package, including 60 billion dollars for Ukraine, passed a key procedural vote in the US Senate on Sunday (02/11/2024), although opposition from the most conservative wing of the Republicans may still prevent it from becoming law. With the support of 18 Republican senators, the proposal managed to overcome one of the first obstacles in the chamber, with 67 votes in favor and 27 against.
The Upper House, with a slim Democratic majority, voted to unblock the bill, whose final approval is expected by mid-week. This Sunday’s vote opens the way for the bill to be considered by the plenary session, after the Senate had blocked the measure since last December due to immigration disputes with the Republicans, to whom they proposed including restrictions. immigration in exchange for their support.
The package, whose total amount amounts to 95,000 million dollars, includes funding for Israel’s fight against Hamas militantsand for Taiwan, a key strategic ally, but the bulk would help Ukraine resupply ammunition, weapons and other crucial needs in its third year of war.
Aid appeared dead after Republicans on Wednesday rejected an earlier version that also included many of the security measures on the Mexican border they had advocated for months. Under pressure from former President Donald Trump, who aspires to reach the White House again and wanted to take advantage of Joe Biden’s perceived weakness on immigration, Republicans seemed to decide they preferred to stop any border reform until after the November elections.
The leader of the Democratic majority of the Senate, Chuck Schumer, stressed on Sunday the urgency of his caucus to approve the project. “I don’t remember the last time the Senate was in session on a Super Bowl Sunday,” said the legislator, referring to the final of the American football league, NFL, which is being held today. “As I have said all week, we are going to continue working on this project until it is approved,” he added.
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