WASHINGTON (Fwrd Axis) — The Senate voted Thursday to pass a $40 billion aid package to Ukraine as its war with Russia is set to hit the three month mark.
The motion was approved on an 86-11 vote, with Republicans making up the 11 votes against. The aid package will include military, economic and humanitarian aid. Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) stalled the vote, delaying the process by a week, which miffed both Republicans and Democrats.
Opposition came from GOP lawmakers as Paul and 10 other Senate Republicans voted against the aid package. Along with Paul, Sens. 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 and Tommy Tuberville of Alabama all voted against the package.
“The Ukrainians are valiant. They’re making progress,” Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer told reporters. “They’re doing the fighting. They’re the ones getting killed. They’re the ones struggling and suffering. The least we can do is give them the weaponry they need.”
A small group of Republicans, led by Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
“This is not some handout,” McConnell told reporters after the trip. “This is to prevent this ruthless thug from beginning a march through Europe. The first place to do that is in Ukraine, and that’s what we’re determined to do.”
The deal represents the largest aid package for Ukraine to date, bringing more than $53 billion the amount of aid the U.S. has given to Ukraine since Russia invaded on Feb. 24. The deal includes $9 billion to replenish U.S. stocks of military equipment sent to Ukraine; nearly $4 billion for European Command operations.
“The aid package is extremely critical; it was critical last week,” said Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.,) “And I cannot believe that some on the Republican side have held it up. Every day it’s delayed, it impacts the war effort.”
