US congressmen are preparing an alternative bill to support allies, particularly Ukraine. In it, part of the aid can be converted into a loan, and its processing is postponed for several weeks.
Speaker of the US House of Representatives Mike Johnson blocked the Senate bill on aid to Ukraine, but left open the possibility of a new bill in the House of Representatives. It can be taken in the second half of March or in April. CNN reported this on Sunday, March 3.
It was noted that behind the scenes, Johnson held private meetings with House Republicans trying to gain support for a new bipartisan foreign aid package, including restrictions on the US border with Mexico. And now, House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Michael McCaul is playing a leading role in trying to finalize the measure and build conference consensus to get floor action before the end of March or April.
CNN writes, citing sources, that Johnson has not yet taken a position on this bill and is not promising to bring it to a vote. Supporters of the Republic of Ukraine believe Johnson will allow the bill to pass – even if he risks a backlash from far-right members of Congress.
McCaul, who briefed Republicans in the speaker’s office on the new plan last week, told CNN that Johnson was “very measured.” Other supporters of the new bill say Johnson is clearly open to their plan.
It noted that the foreign aid plan developed by a bipartisan group of members of Congress provides military aid to Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan at $66 billion – excluding humanitarian assistance, which is part of the package of Senate and a priority for many Democrats.
An alternative plan currently being discussed would bar undocumented immigrants from entering the US until operational border control is achieved and send migrants to Mexico or their country of origin while they wait for their claims to be adjudicated in the US
The group is also considering other changes to the bill, including seizing frozen Russian assets in the United States and transferring them to Ukraine.
Members of the group are considering turning some of the aid into American credit, an idea floated by Trump.
At the same time, as the publication emphasizes, the new bill will be difficult to accept for many Democrats who oppose immigration restrictions, as well as the lack of humanitarian aid.
As reported, on February 13, the US Senate supported a package that provides more than $60 billion for Ukraine, mainly for military aid. But the bill was never considered in the House of Representatives because of Speaker Johnson’s refusal to bring it to a vote.
We remind you that on February 27, Biden met with congressional leaders. Politicians discussed the issues of aid to Ukraine. The Speaker of the House of Representatives said he continues to consider resolving the issue of protecting the US border a priority.
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Source: korrespondent
I am David Wyatt, a professional writer and journalist for Buna Times. I specialize in the world section of news coverage, where I bring to light stories and issues that affect us globally. As a graduate of Journalism, I have always had the passion to spread knowledge through writing.