„Time is of the essence,“ said one top House Republican.
Republicans and Democrats are signaling they’ll back President Biden’s proposed $33 billion supplemental aid package for Ukraine’s military, economic and humanitarian needs. Asked if he would support the latest proposed infusion of funds to the war-torn country, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell responded Thursday, „Very likely, yes.“ Senate Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Senator Bob Menendez, a New Jersey Democrat, says he anticipates bipartisan support, although he added he hasn’t yet spoken with Republicans about the package. „I expected a robust one and we need a robust one to support Ukraine, so I assume that it will have bipartisan support,“ Menendez told reporters Thursday, adding that he thinks the vote „should be next week.“ According to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, work on the measure should be starting shortly. „We were ready with our Appropriations Committee to start writing as soon as we got the numbers from the Office of Management and Budget, and the president’s announcement made public, and we hope to as soon as possible, pass that legislation,“ she said Thursday. But the Ukraine funding bill may run into some bumps on its way to passage. Some Democrats want to link additional COVID-19 funding and Ukraine aid together, something some Republicans have opposed.
