Chuck Schumer, the Senate Majority Leader, has called the first procedural vote on an additional $106 billion relief package.
This amount is proposed by US President Joe Biden for Ukraine, Israel, the countries of the Indo-Pacific region and humanitarian purposes in Gaza, writes The Hill. A vote on the bill is scheduled to take place later this week. According to Schumer, the promotion of this package is necessary, since Ukraine is running out of resources necessary to repel Russian aggression. In his speech he noted:
“I urge every senator to consider where we are at this moment in history. America’s national security is at stake around the world – in Europe, the Middle East and the Indo-Pacific. This could shape the trajectory of democracy for years to come. We are worried historical moment.”
The Hill noted that the bill is unlikely to clear an initial hurdle as Republicans have said they will vote against it unless it includes security measures on the US border with Mexico.
Earlier, US Presidential National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan called on Congress to support the White House’s request for additional funding for Ukraine, warning that refusing to vote for it would help the Russian Federation.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky will address senators at a secret briefing on Tuesday via secure videoconference, Chuck Schumer said. He will brief senators on the state of war in Ukraine and the need for another round of military aid a day before the Senate votes on moving forward into legislation on a $106 billion foreign emergency aid package that includes more than $61 billion for Ukraine. Schumer said on the Senate floor:
“The administration has invited President Zelensky to address senators… as part of our classified briefing tomorrow so that we can hear directly from him exactly what is at stake in this vote. I ask all senators – all senators – to attend this important briefing.”
The final details of the package are still being worked out. That’s been hampered by bipartisan disagreements over additional reforms to immigration and asylum policies to reduce the flow of migrants across the U.S.-Mexico border.
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