The Senate just passed $40B in emergency aid for Ukraine – the most substantial U.S. commitment yet to help the country fend off Russia’s invasion. The bill will go to Biden with just enough time to head off a lapse in U.S. weapons shipments to Ukraine.
said on the floor Thursday. “The future of America’s security and core strategic interests will be shaped by the outcome of this fight.”
The brunt of the new funding under the $40 billion aid package will go toward weapons and equipment for Ukraine. The measure gives the Pentagon a new $11 billion in authority to take those resources from U.S. stockpiles and ship them to the frontlines, plus almost $9 billion to backfill items already sent.
The fact that the bill languished in Congress amid the fall of the crucial Ukrainian port city has irked lawmakers in both parties. Senate Majority Leaderof the measure for more than a week. “Isn’t there a more fiscally responsible way this could be done? What about taking the $40 billion from elsewhere in the budget?” Paul said this week.