Senators backed a procedural movement by 67-32, exceeding the 60-vote threshold to advance the invoice. Seventeen Republicans voted in favour, in a shocking shift after they blocked the broader invoice on Wednesday.
“This can be a good first step. This invoice is crucial for our nationwide safety, for the safety of our mates in Ukraine, in Israel, for humanitarian help for harmless civilians in Gaza, and for Taiwan,” Schumer mentioned within the Senate after the vote.
There was no instant phrase on when the 100-member chamber would think about closing passage, as some senators mentioned they anticipated to stay in session through the weekend if vital.
“We’re going to hold engaged on this invoice till the job is completed,” Schumer mentioned.
The Democratic-led Senate took up the safety help 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 help 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 help companions within the Indo-Pacific, together with Taiwan, and deter aggression by China.
It additionally would supply 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 predicted to take days to agree on a closing model of the safety help package deal, with some Republicans persevering with to push for amendments. Supporters of Ukraine have been struggling for a lot of the previous 12 months to discover a solution 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, significantly these most carefully allied with former President Donald Trump, have voted towards Ukraine help, 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 help for Kyiv since Republicans took management of the Home in January 2023.
