US Senate Majority Backs $40 Billion in Ukraine Aid

The US Senate has approved a package of about $40 billion (approximately R$195 billion) to send emergency aid to Ukraine with a bipartisan majority.

The final vote ended in 86 votes in favor and 11 against. The document will be signed by President Joe Biden.

All Democrats passed the legislation. Eleven Republican senators voted against: Marsha Blackburn of Tennessee, John Boozman of Arkansas, Mike Braun of Indiana, Mike Crapo of Idaho, Bill Hagerty of Tennessee, Josh Hawley of Missouri, Mike Lee of Utah, Cynthia Lummis of Wyoming, Roger Marshall of Kansas , Rand Paul of Kentucky and Tommy Tuberville of Alabama.

Ukrainian President Volodymy Zelensky reacted positively to the US Senate’s endorsement of greater economic support, posting on Twitter that it was “significant”.

Before the vote, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said the Senate “will keep its promise to support the people of Ukraine”. He added that the $40 billion in military, economic and humanitarian aid is “large” and “will satisfy the grave needs of Ukrainians as they fight for survival.”

Schumer stressed that he considers it important to help Ukraine in its fight against Russia. “I would like to say that this vote was unanimous,” he declared. All Democrats in the House of Representatives (the US House of Representatives) voted in favor of the emergency measure, and all Democrats in the Senate were expected to do the same.

“While most senators in both parties want the package completed, it is more than problematic to see a growing circle of Republican senators proudly opposing Ukraine’s funding,” he said.

He added: “Around the world, our enemies are watching what we do now. What do you think you will conclude if you start to see more and more US senators opposing helping democracies under attack by authoritarianism? Our adversaries may conclude that we are divided, that America is divided; may conclude that we lack purpose.