US Senate Passes $95 Billion Budget Including Additional Support for Ukraine

It Seems Difficult to Pass the House Threshold

The U.S. Senate passed a $95.3 billion (approximately 127 trillion won) security budget amendment on the morning of the 13th (local time) that includes military aid for Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan, according to the Associated Press.

The budget amendment was approved with 70 votes in favor and 29 against. It removed contentious border control provisions that caused the previous 'security package budget bill' to fail in a cloture vote on the 7th.

[Image source=Getty Images Yonhap News]

The day before, the Senate approved a procedural vote to overcome the Republican filibuster with 66 votes in favor and 33 against, continuing debate until dawn before passing the budget.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D) said, "It has been years, perhaps decades, since the Senate passed a bill that significantly impacts national security, the security of our allies, and the security of Western democracy."

The budget allocates $60 billion in military aid to Ukraine. It also provides $14 billion to Israel, which is at war with the Palestinian militant group Hamas, $8 billion to Taiwan and India, and $9.2 billion to conflict zones including the Gaza Strip.

However, it is highly likely that the bill will not pass the Republican-majority House of Representatives. The House leadership has shown reluctance to provide additional aid to Ukraine and has sought to handle the Israel aid package separately. Some hardline Republicans claim the bill will be discarded as soon as it reaches the House. House Speaker Mike Johnson issued a statement opposing the Senate’s procedural vote before it began.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated on X (formerly Twitter) immediately after the bill’s passage, "U.S. support brings Ukraine closer to a just peace and restores global stability, promoting the security and prosperity of all Americans and the entire free world."