The $60.8 billion package to help Ukraine defend itself against Russia’s invasion survived a key procedural vote in the House of Representatives on Friday, setting it up for final approval in the coming days.
The vote to bring the bill to the floor, despite the persistent objections of conservative Republicans in the House of Representatives, was 316 to 94. with Democrats providing the majority of support.
Thanks to an agreement between House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) and Democratic leaders, Democrats are providing the votes needed to advance the package, which could put Johnson’s job in jeopardy. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) has threatened to call a vote to oust Johnson as chairman, and the discord caused by Johnson’s acceptance of Democratic help could give it momentum.
But working with Democrats was the only way to break the impasse over aid to Ukraine, which the White House has been calling for for months, as well as two other aid packages: $26.4 billion for Israel and $8.1 billion for Taiwan and other Asian allies. Another bill would force the divestiture of TikTok’s U.S. operations to an American.
The bills will be voted on separately in the House of Representatives on Saturday and then bundled into one bill for a vote in the Senate. The Senate is expected to pass it easily so President Joe Biden can sign it into law.
For Ukrainian leaders, the package is essential if the country wants to continue the bloody battle with Russia that began in early 2022.
In February, the long-held eastern outpost of Avdiivka fell to Russia, which White House officials blamed on a shortage of frontline artillery. On April 11, a major power plant supplying electricity to the Ukrainian capital Kiev was destroyed. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said defenders shot down seven Russian missiles aimed at the plant but did not have enough air defense missiles to prevent another four Russian bombs from hitting the plant.
Denys Shmyhal, Ukraine’s prime minister, told reporters on Thursday that the White House had said more weapons could reach the country within weeks once the bill is approved.
“They have promised us that immediate aid will be provided to Ukraine. So it will take weeks, not months, for it to happen. We hope it will take days, but not more than weeks,” he said.
