Wednesday morning news: April 24, 2024

Senate debate/vote on foreign aid » A long-awaited foreign aid bill is on its way to President Biden’s desk after the Senate passed the $95 billion dollar package last night.

AUDIO: On this vote, the yeas are 79. The nays are 18. The motion is agreed to.

The Senate moved quickly after the House approved the aid package over the weekend. And Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said the chamber made the right choice.

SCHUMER:  Tonight, after more than six months of hard work and many twists and turns in the road, America sends a message to the entire world.

Some Republicans in Congress opposed approving the aid before the U.S. southern border is secure. A small number opposed the aid, particularly to Ukraine, altogether.

But Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell said last night:

MCCONNELL: We can wish for a world where the responsibilities of leadership don’t fall on us, or we can act like we understand that they do.

The bill provides $26 billion dollars in wartime assistance to Israel. Another $8 billion will go to counter Chinese threats in Taiwan and the Indo-Pacific.

Pentagon readies aid for Ukraine » But of course, the lion’s share of that aid, some $60 billion dollars will go to Ukraine in an effort to thwart Vladimir Putin’s ambitions.

And the Pentagon says it’s standing by to get new shipments of arms into Ukraine as quickly as possible.

Pentagon spokesman Pat Ryder:

RYDER: Needless to say, we understand the importance and the urgency and are doing everything we can to be poised to respond quickly.

He said some of the aid could arrive within a few days.

The package includes an array of ammunition, including air defense munitions and large amounts of badly needed artillery rounds.

Blinken presser RE: China/Russia » Secretary of State Tony Blinken is starting three days of talks in Beijing this week.

And he told reporters Tuesday that he plans to press Chinese leaders to dial back support to the Russian government.

BLINKEN: When it comes to Russia's defense industrial base, the primary contributor in this moment to that is China. We see China sharing machine tools, semiconductors, other dual use items that have helped Russia rebuild the defense industrial base.

And he says that, to some degree, has canceled out the impact of sanctions against Moscow.

For its part, China says it has every right to trade with Russia and accuses Washington of fanning the flames by arming and funding Ukraine.

Trump trial latest » Today is day-3 of Donald Trump’s historic New York hush money trial in Manhattan.

Prosecutors in the case say Trump violated a gag order that barred him from speaking publicly about witnesses in the case … with recent criticism of former Trump attorney Michael Cohen. They want the judge in the case to charge him contempt of court.

TRUMP:  I think it's a disgrace. It's totally unconstitutional. I'm not allowed to defend myself and yet other people are allowed to say whatever they want about me.

Jurors on Tuesday heard from former National Enquirer publisher David Pecker. Pecker testified that he had a pact with Trump and used the tabloid to publish positive stories about the Trump campaign…and negative stories about his opponents.

Trump maintains he has done nothing wrong and that the trial is politically motivated.

Trump-Japanese leader meeting » After leaving the courthouse, Trump met with another prominent foreign leader.

Former Japanese Prime Minister Taro Aso met with the former president at Trump Tower.

TRUMP: Well, he’s a highly respected man in Japan and beyond, and somebody that I’ve liked and I’ve known.

While no longer in office Aso remains an influential figure in Japan.

There’s growing concern in Japan over Trump’s talk of new tariffs to combat what he sees as currency manipulation boosting Japanese exports.

Multiple world leaders have met with Trump recently, acknowledging the very real possibility that he could once again occupy the White House come January. That list includes British Foreign Minister David Cameron.

UMC denominational meeting » Methodists from around the world are meeting in North Carolina for discussions that could shape the future of the United Methodist Church. WORLD’s Mark Mellinger has more.

MARK MELLINGER: The General Convention kicked off on Tuesday in the first general meeting since more than 7,000 congregations left the denomination over controversial doctrinal changes.

And many socially liberal delegates to the meeting are hoping to upend the church’s adherence to certain biblical principles.

Pennsylvania Delegate Tracy Merrick says, “the discussion regarding LGBTQIA matters has evolved over time.”

MERRICK: But the church's position regarding ordination, uh, same gender marriage has not changed. It's been pretty rigid.

Those on the other side of the issue note that the Bible has not changed.

Delegates will debate that and other issues over the next 9 days in Charlotte.

For WORLD, I’m Mark Melllinger.

I’m Kent Covington.

Straight ahead: Foreign aid and AI regulations on Washington Wednesday. Plus, calling the mold man.

This is The World and Everything in It.

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