WASHINGTON (AP) – The House of Representatives on Tuesday unanimously approved a $ 40 billion bailout package for Ukraine as lawmakers bolstered President Joe Biden’s initial call about the two parties’ growing commitment to oust Russian President Vladimir. Putin. Damn three month aggression.
The measure reaches the 368-57 unilateral threshold, providing $ 7 billion more than Biden’s request since April, and shares equal growth between defense and humanitarian programs. The bill provides military and economic assistance to Ukraine, allies in the region, arms stocks, arms shipments sent overseas by the Pentagon, and $ 5 billion to address the global food shortage caused of the war in Ukraine, which usually produces a bountiful harvest.
The event was supported by one vote from all Democrats and nearly 3 out of 4 Republicans. The parliamentary debate reflects a shared view on both sides that the United States poses a greater threat than supporting Ukraine.
“Ukrainians need us, they need our support,” said Rosa Delauro, chairman of the parliamentary appropriations committee, D-Conn. “Vladimir Putin and his relatives must be held accountable. The bill does this by supporting democracy, preventing Russian aggression and strengthening our national security.
“As China, Iran and North Korea watch our response, we must show the world that America is steadfast to its allies and will do everything to protect our interests abroad,” Republican chief Kay Granger said. of Texas. .
The new law will bring U.S. support for the effort to nearly $ 54 billion, including the $ 13.6 billion Congress received in March. That’s about $ 6 billion more than the United States spent on foreign and military aid in 2019, according to a January report by the non-partisan Congressional Research Service, which studies issues for lawmakers. . It is also approximately 1% of the entire federal budget.
The event was released as Washington becomes more assertive in its goals and willingness to assist Ukraine with more sophisticated weapons. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin recently said the U.S. wants Russia to be “weak” from not quickly rebuilding the ability to attack other countries.
Russia’s attacks on the southern Ukrainian port of Odessa Attempts to delay the supply of Western weapons appear to have intensified. These weapons have helped Ukraine fight its deadliest opponent surprisingly well, but the crushing war takes its toll.
The Ukrainian Senate’s approval for the assistance seemed certain and members on both sides expressed the need for swift action. “While Putin has desperately accelerated the campaign of terrorism and atrocities in Ukraine, time is of the essence,” said Nancy Pelosi, a member of the House of Representatives.
But it’s unclear when the Senate will act and changes are possible there, with Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, RK, insisting the event was strictly war -focused.
“I think we’re going to get there,” McConnell told reporters. “It must be free from external problems that are directly related to helping Ukrainians win the war.”
Some Republicans used the debate during the election to accuse Biden of exceeding his goals.
“Honestly, don’t we deserve the plan?” Said the rep. Michael Berges, Texas. He said he agreed that Western countries should help Ukraine deal with Russia, but added: “Doesn’t the administration need to go with us where we’re going?”
Oksana Markarova, Ukraine’s ambassador to the United States, attended separate Democratic and Republican Senate dinners on Tuesday and expressed gratitude for the support she received. Senator Chris Koons, D-Del., Told Markarova that his country had run out of arms stocks during the Soviet era and said NATO support was essential.
Kuns said the Ukrainian message was: “Thank you, do more. There is a difficult battle ahead. With your support we can win. “
The new proposal includes $ 6 billion for arming and training Ukrainian forces, $ 8.7 billion for rebuilding U.S. weapons depots sent to Ukraine, and $ 3.9 billion for U.S. forces that assigned to the region.
There is also $ 8.8 billion in economic support for Ukraine, $ 4 billion to fund the purchase of weapons and equipment to help Ukraine and its allies, and $ 900 million for housing, education and other assistance to Ukrainian refugees in the United States. United.
To increase the chance of this event in Congress, a House bill rejected Biden’s proposal to make it easier for Afghans with legal residence qualifications to flee to the United States last summer after Americans will be expelled from the country. . Some Republicans have expressed concern about the adequacy of applicants ’security checks.
In their biggest concession, Biden and Democrats on Monday canceled plans to receive an additional $ 1 billion to provide drugs, vaccines, and testing to the US. COVID-19. Republican support for increasing pandemic spending is waning and the integration of those funds will slow Ukraine to a 50-50 senate, where at least 10 GOP votes will be needed to pass.
Democrats hope to create a separate package for COVID-19 soon, though its fate is uncertain.
Biden met with Pelosi and six other Democrats at the White House on Tuesday, who have recently traveled to Ukraine and Poland. Following this, a member of the delegation and former army bodyguard, Parliamentarian Jason Crowe, said the Ukrainians needed advanced aircraft and long-range weapons such as artillery, missiles and anti-ship missiles to help them. umatras. the Russians.
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Associated Press writer Farnush Amir contributed to this report.
Source: Huffpost
