IN a bid to secure vital funding for Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan, US Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer has scheduled a vote on President Biden’s $106-B-aid proposals for the first week of December.
The passing of the aid package faces what Schumer calls the biggest holdup, primarily from Republicans linking approval to changes in US border security policies, which they have set as a condition for sending more funds to Kyiv.
Schumer warned that without additional funds, Ukraine risks losing its fight against Russia.
However, Representative Mike Turner, who is also the chairman of the U.S. House Intelligence Committee doubts the aid’s approval by year-end, citing southern border policy disputes.
To recall, in early November, Republican House members passed an Israel-only assistance deal of 14.3 billion dollars.
Schumer, however, said that this deal was deeply flawed and would not be taken up by the U.S. Senate.
The White House, on the other hand, said that the bill would not be signed by Biden if it only included aid for Israel.
Meanwhile, In order to avoid a U.S. government shutdown, Biden signed another stopgap funding plan that excludes providing assistance to Ukraine.
The U.S. has admitted that the available funds for Ukraine were running out after its government has so far provided Ukraine with over $76-B in military and other aid.
It can be remembered that earlier in October, U.S. Treasure Secretary Janet Yellen said that his country can certainly afford to support wars on two separate fronts and that Washington’s financial outlook is sufficient to back its allies abroad. However, Yellen warned that the potential economic ramifications of a larger conflict in the Middle East remain unknown.
