[ad_1]
Nathan Howard/Reuters
U.S. Capitol Building on February 9, 2024.
The Senate moved one step closer to passing a $95.3 billion foreign aid bill that includes aid to Ukraine and Israel on Sunday with a key vote to advance the policy.
The Senate has been considering the bill over the weekend, but a final vote could still be days away as Kentucky Republican Sen. Rand Paul continues to delay the process.
The chamber passed the critical 60-vote threshold for passage of the bill on Thursday, held another procedural vote on Friday night, and held a floor debate on the bill on Saturday.
But absent agreement from all 100 senators to speed up the process and pass the bill quickly, the Senate is expected to continue its work Sunday afternoon and take a final vote sometime during the week.
If the bill ultimately passes the Senate, it will then go to the House, but it is unclear when or if Speaker Mike Johnson will vote on the bill. Many House Republicans oppose further aid to Ukraine.
The timing of Sunday’s vote could come right before the Super Bowl, and Majority Leader Chuck Schumer has set up a table and television outside the Senate chamber in case the chamber is in session when the Chiefs-49ers game begins. Preparations are underway by setting up a new room. Sunday evening in Las Vegas.
“I can’t remember the last time the Senate was in session for the Super Bowl on Sunday,” Schumer said. “But as I’ve said all week, we’re going to keep working on this bill until the job is done.”
Sen. Chris Murphy, D-Conn., said on CBS’ “Face the Nation” that he believes the Senate could pass a bill that includes funding for Ukraine by early to mid-week.
Lawmakers are considering a foreign aid bill after Republicans blocked a sweeping bill that would combine foreign aid with a bipartisan border agreement. Republicans initially demanded that border security be included in the bill, but continued to reject bipartisan agreement after strong attacks on the bill from former President Donald Trump and House Republican leaders.
The former president also wrote on Truth Social on Saturday that the United States should stop providing foreign aid unless it is structured as a loan, indicating he is putting political pressure on Republicans to repeal the bill.
Additional procedural votes are scheduled ahead of the final vote on the foreign aid package, including one on Sunday.
Paul continued his pursuit Sunday, repeating similar comments about holding out until “hell freezes over.” He spoke out on issues such as the national debt, demonstrating his readiness to maintain his seat on the floor.
“I love to talk,” Paul said. “It’s one of my favorite things. Yes, I slept all day yesterday waiting for this. I’m going to take Adderall — no, just kidding.”
“We are doing this for a purpose,” he added. “I don’t like being here…I’m not here because it’s fun. I’m here because I don’t think enough people are talking about the dangers of debt.”
Senate Republicans are currently divided over the foreign aid package, with some calling for amendments to the bill, including adding measures related to immigration and border policy.
Schumer said Democrats hope to reach an agreement with Republicans on the amendment, although it’s not clear whether a deal will be reached.
J. Scott Applewhite/Associated Press
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer walks to meet reporters at the Capitol in Washington, D.C., on Wednesday.
The foreign aid package includes billions of dollars for aid to Ukraine, security assistance to Israel, and humanitarian assistance to civilians in Gaza, the West Bank, and Ukraine.
According to the Senate Appropriations Report, the bill includes $60 billion to support Ukraine in its fight against Russia, $14.1 billion in security assistance to Israel, $9.2 billion in humanitarian assistance, and $48 billion to support regional partners in the Indo-Pacific region. Includes billions of dollars. Committee.
As the Senate continues to consider the bill over the weekend, supporters are urging lawmakers to approve an amendment that would give Afghans displaced during the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan a path to permanent U.S. residency.
The amendment was introduced Friday by Democratic Sen. Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota and Republican Sen. Jerry Moran of Kansas, and it states, “We will allow them to apply for permanent residence in order to establish a permanent residence.” ” according to a news release from Klobuchar.
Republican Sen. Tom Cotton of Arkansas supports the amendment for the changes he wants. It’s also unlikely that senators will reach bipartisan agreement on a vote on the amendment.
This article and heading have been updated with additional developments.
CNN’s Haley Britzkey contributed to this report.
[ad_2]
Source link
