Washington – The chamber approved Tuesday night $ 39.8 billion to help Ukraine, there were only a few days left before President Biden said his authority to fund military supplies to help repel Russian aggression was drying up.
The bill was passed by 368 votes to 57. It will now go to the Senate and then to Mr. Biden’s table. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said ahead of the vote that the Senate would take action on the aid package “as soon as possible.”
Chair of the Appropriations Committee of the House of Representatives Rosa Delaura an additional bill was introduced Tuesday afternoon. The bill provides for much more military and humanitarian aid than the $ 33 billion requested by the president and expected to be passed in the Democratic-controlled House of Representatives.
“This monumental package of security, economic and humanitarian aid will be tonight, where we hope to achieve a strong bipartisan vote,” House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said in a letter to Democrats on Tuesday. “Time is of the essence – and we can’t afford to wait. With this aid package, America is sending a loud signal to the world about our unwavering determination to stand with the courageous people of Ukraine until victory is won. ”
DeLaura said Congress was “morally responsible for providing that support to help end the deadly deaths, bring Putin and his friends to justice, and defend world democracy.”
In addition to $ 6 billion in security assistance such as training and armaments, the legislation includes $ 8.7 billion to replenish U.S. equipment shipped to Ukraine and $ 3.9 billion to support missions and intelligence. The bill also provides $ 2 million for technical and regulatory support to the Ukrainian Nuclear Regulatory Agency and more than $ 5 billion for the fight against food security due to the conflict. Another $ 900 million will go to help Ukrainian refugees and those who have arrived in housing and other support.
The White House hopes the aid will provide sufficient support to Ukraine by September, the end of the fiscal year.
President on Monday signed a separate bill this would allow the U.S. to borrow and lease military equipment to Ukraine, which was framed after a World War II-era program that helped defeat Nazi Germany.
Democrats decided to separate COVID-19 funding from Ukraine’s funding because Republicans did not support linking the two issues.
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/ukraine-aid-bill-house-vote-39-8-billion/
