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The US Capitol Building is seen on January 10, 2024 in Washington, DC.
The Senate passed a $95.3 billion foreign aid bill with aid to Ukraine and Israel on Tuesday morning's vote.
The foreign aid package includes billions of dollars to support Ukraine and security aid to Israel, humanitarian aid for civilians in Gaza, the West Bank and Ukraine, and other priorities. It's unclear whether Johnson will hold a vote on it, and many House Republicans oppose further aid to Ukraine.
The bill passed the Senate despite Johnson's criticism of the law and former President Donald Trump opposes the bill By arguing that the US should end foreign aid unless it is in the form of loans. The Senate vote was 70 to 29, with 22 Republicans voting in favor.
The bill includes $60 billion in support for Ukraine against Russia, $14.1 billion in security assistance to Israel, $9.2 billion in humanitarian aid and $4.8 billion in support of regional partners in the Indo-Pacific region, in addition to other policy provisions. Senate Appropriations Committee.
“The House has to figure out a path forward, and they have to do it their way, but we have to start the process, and we've done that,” Senate GOP Whip John Thune told reporters Tuesday.
The Senate passed the legislation after Republicans Blocked a broader bill Last week, foreign aid would have been tied to a bipartisan border agreement. Republicans had initially called for it to be part of the border security bill, but rejected a bipartisan border deal amid strong attacks on the measure. By Trump And top House Republicans.
In a statement on Monday, Speaker Johnson criticized the foreign aid bill for its lack of border provisions, saying the Senate “should have gone to a draft committee to amend the current bill to include real border security provisions that would actually help the end.” A continuing disaster.” Johnson had previously opposed a broader bill that would include border provisions. The speaker has characterized those provisions as the result of bipartisan negotiations, including border restrictions, as insufficient.
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer celebrated the passage of the legislation. But the defense of Western democracy.”
“If Speaker Johnson brings this bill to the House, I am confident it will pass with the same strong bipartisan support,” Schumer said.
The Senate continued to move forward with the bill, as Trump argued that the United States should not provide foreign aid unless it is debt. Opposes the law. Trump has also indicated that he will Encourage Russian aggression Against NATO member states that do not pay enough.
Several Senate Republicans either supported or downplayed Trump's NATO comments on Monday.
“I'm behind him 100%,” Sen said of Trump demanding that NATO members pay their dues or risk Putin invading their country. Tommy Tuberville said.
The Alabama Republican suggested European allies should be “very concerned” about an invasion, saying they should protect themselves and not rely on the United States, adding that the country “can't protect everyone.”
Senate of Kansas. Roger Marshall said European allies worried by Trump's comments should “get over it”.
“You know, they've got to get over it. They've got to stand up and be tough. We've got to protect our border first. We've got to take care of things here at home first. When we protect our own border and take care of our home, the better. Let's help others. ” said the Republican from Kansas.
In the Senate, consideration of the bill dragged on for several days as Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky protested the legislation and vowed to drag out the timeline.
Any senator Can slow down the process And force the Senate to take time-consuming votes to get to the final passage.
Paul dug in on Sunday and said he would attack “until hell freezes over.” He indicated that he was ready to host the forum by talking about the national debt issue and other issues. “I want to talk. That is one of my favorite things,” he said.
“We do this for a purpose,” Paul said. “I don't like being here. … I'm not here because it's fun, I'm here because I don't think enough people are talking about the dangers of debt.
On Sunday, hours before the start of the Super Bowl, the chamber took a key vote 67 to 27 to move the package forward..
This story and topic have been updated with additional improvements.
CNN's Kate Sullivan contributed to this report.
