DThe opposition US Republicans have initially blocked a billion-dollar aid package for Israel and Ukraine. The Conservatives withheld support for the $106 billion (around 98 billion euros) package on Wednesday in a procedural vote in the Senate. The background is the dispute over immigration policy and securing the southern border of the USA with Mexico.
All Senate Republicans voted no, as did independent Senator Bernie Sanders, who usually votes with Democrats but had expressed concerns about funding Israel’s “current inhumane military strategy” against the Palestinians. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer also voted “no” on procedural grounds to allow the proposal to be revised. After the vote, the Democrat spoke of a “serious moment that will have lasting consequences for the 21st century” and risks the decline of Western democracy.
Biden: “We can’t let Putin win”
US President Joe Biden had previously warned: “Make no mistake, today’s vote will be remembered for a long time. History will judge harshly…we can’t let (Russian President Vladimir) Putin win.” He said he was willing to make “big compromises” on immigration policy so Congress could release funding for Ukraine, said Biden. The release of financial resources to support Ukraine “cannot wait any longer”; failure would be the “biggest gift” to Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Biden asked Congress in October for a financial package of $106 billion. It contains, among other things, $61.4 billion for Ukraine, $14.3 billion for Israel in the war against the radical Islamic Palestinian organization Hamas, aid for other allies such as Taiwan and funds to protect the border with Mexico.
Among Republicans, there is support for new aid to Israel, but resistance to new funding for Ukraine. In the Senate, laws require a majority of 60 of the 100 senators for procedural preliminary votes. The Republicans currently have 49 senators and can block legislative projects with their blocking minority.
The United States is Ukraine’s main supporter in the war against Russian invading forces. Since the start of Russia’s war of aggression in February 2022, the United States has already provided or promised more than $44 billion in military aid to Ukraine.
#USA #Republicans #block #aid #Ukraine #Israel