There were rising concerns about the bill’s future in the Republican-controlled House of Representatives. Still, on Monday, the Democratic-led US Senate cleared the way for the final passage of a $95.34 billion aid plan for Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan.
An overwhelming 70-29 vote in the Senate overcame the last procedural hurdle, limiting debate on the bill to just 30 hours before a possible Wednesday vote on passage.
Things might be able to go faster, though. Aides said that Republicans against the bill would speak out against it in the Senate overnight. In this way, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer might be able to push for final passing on Tuesday morning.
If the bill passes, it will only go to the House, where Speaker Mike Johnson said that the majority of Republicans wanted conservative parts to stop the flow of people crossing the U.S.-Mexico border.
A message from Johnson just before the Senate started voting said, “Since the Senate has not yet sent any changes to border policy, the House will have to continue to work its own will on these important issues.”
As Johnson said, “America deserves better than the Senate’s status quo.” Johnson has also said that the House could break the measure up into different bills.
Republicans had been saying for months that the aid plan had to include help for the large number of refugees coming to the U.S.-Mexico border, along with any extra money for Israel and Ukraine.
President Joe Biden has urged Congress to immediately provide additional help to Ukraine and Indo-Pacific allies like Taiwan for months. After Hamas attacked Israel on October 7, he requested money from the U.S. partner and aid for Gaza.
At the same time that Russia is stepping up its strikes, Ukrainian officials have warned of a lack of weapons.
But the bill has to pass both the House and the Senate before it can become law. Since Republicans took over the House in January 2023, they haven’t passed any significant legislation for Ukraine.
IMPEACHMENT OF MAYORKAS
Republicans have demanded for months that any funding for Israel and Ukraine also address the migrant influx at the U.S.-Mexico border.
Last Thursday, most Senate Republicans opposed a four-month joint security package, the most essential border security and immigration law reform attempt in at least 10 years. This was done at the request of former President Donald Trump.
This week, the House will likely try again to remove Biden’s Homeland Security Secretary, Alejandro Mayorkas. Mayorkas is in charge of the border and is the most senior person in charge of security.
Schumer took out the parts of the bill that talked about border security last week.
There are some Republican lawmakers, including those who are closest to Trump, who want to change the bill again.
Senator Lindsey Graham suggested converting a portion of U.S. aid into debt and emphasized prioritizing “lethal aid” over humanitarian assistance. He also requested measures to protect the U.S. border, but his party hasn’t released any border-related changes yet.
