The U.S. Senate, narrowly divided, moved closer to passing a $95.34 billion aid package for Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan on Sunday. This move demonstrated sustained bipartisan support in the face of increasing criticism from some Republican hardliners and Donald Trump. The Democratic-led Senate voted 67-27 to clear the latest procedural hurdle and moved the foreign aid measure toward an ultimate vote on passage in the coming days.
The bill received support from eighteen Republicans, despite Trump, a leading figure in the Republican presidential race, denouncing the legislation on social media and suggesting the foreign aid should be provided as a loan instead.
This financial assistance is viewed as crucial by Kyiv as it approaches the two-year mark of Russia's invasion. However, even if the Senate approves the bill it would send the bill on to the Republican-controlled House of Representatives, where it faces an uncertain Democratic President Joe Biden, who has been seeking the aid for months, on Friday said Congress would be guilty of "neglect" if it failed to pass the measure.
The bill could move more quickly if Democrats and Republicans reach an agreement to fast-track the measure. But no such deal has emerged so far.
The proposed package allocates $61 billion for Ukraine, $14 billion for Israel to support its conflict against Hamas Hamas and $4.83 billion to support partners in the Indo-Pacific, including Taiwan, and deter aggression by China.
It also would provide $9.15 billion in humanitarian assistance to civilians in Gaza and the West Bank, Ukraine and other conflict zones around the globe.
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