Senate advances aid package

Raquel Martin
·2 min read
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WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR) – The Senate is teeing up a vote to pass billions in aid for Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan.

This vote comes after a drawn-out process in the House that’s stalled aid for more than two months.

Lawmakers supportive of Ukraine say the delay has cost Ukraine on the battlefield.

“Today it’s the Senate’s turn to act,” said Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.)

The Senate is on the brink of passing a $95 billion foreign aid package to send money to Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan.

“Send our friends abroad the aid they have long been waiting for, let us not delay this,” said Schumer.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) say the funding is critical to protect U.S. allies.

“Today’s action is overdue,” said McConnell.

A similar plan passed the Senate two months ago, but the House stalled for weeks, then broke it into four separate bills and finally passed them over the weekend requiring the Senate to vote again.

On the floor, McConnell and Iowa Republican Senator Chuck Grassley criticized House Republicans for stalling.

“Delay in providing Ukraine the weapons to defends itself has strained the prospects of defeating Russian aggression,” said McConnell.

Grassley said it helped Russian President Vladimir Putin.

“Has actually bolstered Putin’s belief that he can outlast the West,” said Grassley.

The new plan is likely to pass but is facing some pushback in the Senate.

“We need to have a serious debate on these issues,” said Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.)

Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders is protesting billions earmarked for Israel’s military.

“It is illegal to continue current military aid to Israel, let alone send another $9 billion with no strings attached,” Sanders added.

Part of this package includes a bill that would ban TikTok.  Unlike previous plans the ban gives TikTok’s owner ByteDance an entire year to find a new buyer.

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