The package of measures to provide aid to Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan passed a procedural vote in the US Senate. The initiatives were supported by 80 senators and 19 voted against, NBC News reported. This is a preliminary stage before the final vote.
Senators have another 30 hours to debate the bill unless they decide to hold a final vote sooner. "I am asking my colleagues to come together to pass the bills as quickly as possible," said Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer. If agreed, the documents will be sent to President Joe Biden for his signature.
The aid bill for Ukraine provides $61 billion, of which more than $20 billion will be spent on replenishing US reserves, $14 billion on arms purchases and $9 billion on loans. The House of Representatives approved the bill on April 20. Two American officials told Reuters that the US authorities are already preparing a new aid package for Ukraine, which will amount to 1 billion dollars.
The package also includes $26 billion for Israel, including $9.1 billion for humanitarian needs and $8.12 billion for the Indo-Pacific region. In addition, the initiative contains provisions for the confiscation of Russian assets, the possibility of imposing new restrictions against Russia, China, Iran and banning the social network TikTok./BGNES
