“If we do not stand against tyrants who seek to conquer or carve up their neighbours’ territory, the consequences for America’s national security will be significant. Our allies and adversaries alike will take note,” he said in a statement.
However, right-wing House Speaker Mike Johnson has indicated he will heed the call of expected Republican presidential nominee Trump and not even allow the Senate bill to come to a vote in the lower chamber.
The US$95 billion package includes funding for Israel’s military and Taiwan, but the lion’s share – US$60 billion – would help Ukraine restock depleted ammunition supplies, weapons and other crucial needs.
It passed easily in the Senate when enough Republicans defied Trump’s behind-the-scenes manoeuvres to join Democrats in preserving what has been one of Biden’s priorities as president – leading the Western response to the Russian invasion.
Senator Chuck Schumer, the leader of the Senate where Democrats have a razor-thin majority, said “the responsibility now falls on Speaker Johnson”.
Elon Musk says Putin can’t lose in Ukraine, opposes Senate bill
Elon Musk says Putin can’t lose in Ukraine, opposes Senate bill
“History is looking upon the United States and seeing if we will stand up for our values, stand up to bullies like [Russian President Vladimir] Putin,” he said.
Schumer said a “large majority in the House”, where Republicans have the narrow margin of control, would support the bill if it were put to a vote.
“Unfortunately, too many Republicans succumbed to the ministrations of Donald Trump,” he said.
The Senate vote and now looming showdown in the House are the latest stages in a tortuous path for the security bill – largely due to Trump-led manoeuvres to make sure it does not pass.
Previously, Republicans insisted they would only continue aid to Ukraine if there was simultaneously a major effort to tighten immigration controls at the US-Mexico border.
Democrats agreed to the condition, working with Republicans on a bill that imposed the harshest new measures in decades to stop illegal immigration – along with the funding for Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan.
However, after the increasingly all-powerful Trump wing objected, with Johnson declaring the package would be “dead” in the House, Republican senators backed off, leaving Congress in chaos.
In his latest remarks, Johnson suggested late on Monday that even if Republicans in the Senate backed the new Ukraine bill, he would once again demand border control measures before agreeing to consider support.
Trump wants new RNC leadership, daughter-in-law as co-chair
Trump wants new RNC leadership, daughter-in-law as co-chair
“We must fix our country before devoting more resources to Ukraine,” said Senator J.D. Vance, a strong Trump backer and one of the Republicans who opposed passage.
“That’s our message, and the fight goes on,” he wrote on X.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky expressed gratitude for the Senate vote, taking to social media to thank “every US Senator who has supported continued assistance to Ukraine as we fight for freedom, democracy, and the values we all hold dear”.
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