Washington — The Senate is set to commence work on a substantial foreign aid package for Ukraine and Israel on Tuesday, aiming to bring an end to a prolonged exchange with the House regarding the assistance.
Following the approval of the $95 billion in foreign aid by the House in the form of four separate bills over the weekend, the consolidated legislation now arrives in the Senate as a unified package anticipated to be approved before reaching the president's desk later this week.
The comprehensive package encompasses $60.8 billion in aid for Ukraine, $26.4 billion designated to support Israel, alongside humanitarian assistance for Gaza, and $8.1 billion for allies in the Indo-Pacific region. Additionally, it incorporates provisions enabling the sale of frozen assets of Russian oligarchs to contribute to future aid for Ukraine, as well as a provision that could potentially mandate the sale of TikTok or prohibit the app in the U.S.
The Senate is expected to conduct procedural votes on Tuesday afternoon, briefly interrupting a scheduled recess for this purpose, with a final passage vote likely to occur by the following day.
A persistent push for international assistance
Securing foreign aid has been a top priority for policymakers in Washington for several months. The recent developments are anticipated to bring this initiative to a conclusion, following numerous disagreements and negotiations. Republicans had been exploring various strategies to achieve a more favorable outcome aligned with their party's interests.
During the previous administration, the request for additional aid to support Ukraine in its conflict with Russia was met with resistance from former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy. He insisted on linking these funds to border security measures, causing a delay in the process during the final days of his speakership over six months ago.
Following subsequent discussions, a bipartisan group of senators successfully negotiated a comprehensive aid package that included provisions for border security. However, this proposal was largely rejected by Republicans under pressure from former President Donald Trump. Democrats criticized the GOP for avoiding addressing border security, as it could potentially weaken a significant campaign issue for the former president.
Despite the Senate's approval of the foreign aid and border security package in February, Speaker Mike Johnson declined to bring it to the House floor. He committed to finding an alternative path forward within the lower chamber.
Over the weekend, the House finally took action. Approving a series of bills that closely resembled the Senate's foreign aid proposal, the House greenlit the funds while falling short on a separate border security measure. Despite efforts to make the legislation more appealing to Republicans, such as incorporating a partial loan structure for the Ukraine aid and permitting the sale of frozen assets belonging to Russian oligarchs, a greater number of Democrats ended up backing the measures.
The urgency for aid escalated following an unprecedented Iranian airstrike on Israel earlier in the month and the ongoing struggles in Ukraine's battle against Russia. Johnson, who previously opposed aid to Ukraine, seemed to have a change of heart, emphasizing the chamber's duty in recent days and labeling the aid as "critically important" after showing little enthusiasm for the issue in the past.
The Ukraine aid drew criticism from far-right conservatives and may deepen Johnson's rift within his party. Whether his recent actions will strengthen the push to remove him from his position, as hinted by Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene in recent weeks, remains uncertain.
The Senate's Next Steps
The Senate's prior approval of a similar foreign aid package earlier this year indicates that the new proposal is likely to garner significant support. Back in February, the Senate passed the package with a vote of 70 to 29, showcasing bipartisan backing. The Senate's eagerness to adjourn for the remainder of the planned recess is expected to expedite the process of moving the package through the chamber this week.
Despite some remaining threats that could slow down its approval, the passage of the package seems imminent. Senator Rand Paul from Kentucky, a Republican, has been known to obstruct the package's progress, and he may continue to do so this week. Additionally, the inclusion of the TikTok provision in the package might face opposition from a few senators. However, a majority of Democrats and a significant number of Republicans are expected to support the package in the end.
"The Senate is now prepared to move forward," stated Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer after the House vote. "Our global allies have been eagerly anticipating this moment, and I can assure them that the Senate is on track to pass the same bill soon."
