Senators backed a procedural movement by 67-32, exceeding the 60-vote threshold to advance the invoice. Seventeen Republicans voted in favour, in a stunning shift after they blocked the broader invoice on Wednesday.
“This can be a good first step. This invoice is important for our nationwide safety, for the safety of our pals in Ukraine, in Israel, for humanitarian support for harmless civilians in Gaza, and for Taiwan,” Schumer stated within the Senate after the vote.
There was no instant phrase on when the 100-member chamber would contemplate last passage, as some senators stated they anticipated to stay in session in the course of the weekend if mandatory.
“We’re going to maintain engaged on this invoice till the job is completed,” Schumer stated.
The Democratic-led Senate took up the safety support invoice after Republicans on Wednesday blocked a broader measure that additionally included reforms of border safety and immigration coverage {that a} bipartisan group of senators had negotiated for months.
The safety support invoice contains US$61 billion for Ukraine because it battles a Russian invasion, US$14 billion for Israel in its struggle towards Hamas and US$4.83 billion to assist companions within the Indo-Pacific, together with Taiwan, and deter aggression by China.
It additionally would offer US$9.15 billion in humanitarian help to civilians in Gaza and the West Financial institution, Ukraine and different populations in battle zones across the globe.
The Senate is anticipated to take days to agree on a last model of the safety support bundle, with some Republicans persevering with to push for amendments. Supporters of Ukraine have been struggling for a lot of the previous yr to discover a approach to ship extra money to assist Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s authorities.
Even when the help invoice ultimately passes the Senate, it faces uncertainty within the Home of Representatives. Dozens of Republican Home members, notably these most intently allied with former President Donald Trump, have voted towards Ukraine support, together with Speaker Mike Johnson.
Whereas lawmakers have permitted greater than US$110 billion for Ukraine since Russia invaded in February 2022, Congress has not handed any main support for Kyiv since Republicans took management of the Home in January 2023.
