US Senate gives final approval to Ukraine aid with bipartisan support

United States Senate approved an emergency package for Ukraine late Thursday, providing military and humanitarian aid for the war-torn country. An amount of $13.6 billion was given a go-ahead from Congress.

The House of Representatives also passed the legislation with bipartisan support earlier this week. President Joe Biden’s signature is certain.

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While more than half of the amount was reserved to cover the costs of arming Ukraine against the Russian forces, humanitarian and economic assistance, strengthening regional allies’ defenses and protecting their energy supplies and cybersecurity needs were also taken care of.

Chuck Schumer, a Democratic lawmaker from New York and Senate majority leader, said that America “promised the Ukrainian people they would not go at it alone in their fight against Putin.”

He added, “And once we pass this funding in a short while, we will keep that promise.”, according to reports from Associated Press.

White House aides told Congress last month that Biden wanted $6.4 billion to counter Russia’s invasion. He ended up formally requesting $10 billion, an amount that it took an eager Congress just a few days to boost to its final figure of $13.6 billion.

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Even though GOP lawmakers project support for the legislation, Biden landed in their crosshairs for not taking swift action for Ukraine and other Eastern European countries. The unresolved issue with Poland was used as an example by Republicans.

Mitch McConnell, the top Republican in the Senate, said that the “administration’s first instinct is to flinch, wait for international and public pressure to overwhelm them, and then take action only after the most opportune moment has passed us by”, according to reports from Associated Press.