Senate advances Ukraine, Israel aid bill amid Trump opposition

The Democratic-led Senate voted 67-27 Sunday afternoon to move the emergency spending package one step closer to passage. The $93 billion aid package would provide $60 billion for Ukraine, $14 billion for Israel, $9 billion in humanitarian aid for Gaza, the West Bank, and Ukraine, and $4.8 billion to support Indo-Pacific allies, including Taiwan. The bill would not include measures to tighten security at the U.S. southern border, a sticking point for some Republicans. Former President Donald Trump, currently the dominant Republican candidate for the 2024 presidential race, has been openly critical of the bill. The Hill reported Trump told attendees at a political rally on Saturday that the aid money should be considered a loan the countries must repay.

What did Senate leadership have to say about the bill? Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., supported the bill. Schumer declared Sunday, “If America doesn’t assist Ukraine, Putin is all too likely to succeed.” McConnell added, “Our allies, partners, are hoping that the indispensable nation—the leader of the free world—has resolved to continue. And our adversaries are hoping for something quite different.”

But Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., slammed the bill and Schumer and McConnell’s support on Friday during an appearance on Fox Business’ Kudlow show, saying it would weaken the country. “We don’t have $100 billion sitting around … so essentially, we asked China for money to send it to Ukraine,” he said.

The Senate is expected to hold a final vote on the bill in the coming days. If passed, it would go to the House, where it faces an uncertain future.

Dig Deeper:  Read a WORLD Magazine report by Addie Offereins and Emma Freire on the escalating tensions at the U.S. southern border.