As part of its $118 billion border security and foreign aid package, a bipartisan group of Senators proposed Sunday that the bulk of funds should go to supporting Ukraine as it continues its war with Russia, with a significant portion going toward humanitarian aid in Ukraine, as well as Gaza and the West Bank.
If passed, the package will provide $60.06 billion in military aid to Ukraine and $14.1 billion in “security assistance” to Israel.
The package also includes $10 billion in humanitarian aid to the people of Ukraine, as well as Gaza and the West Bank, and “populations caught in conflict zones across the globe.”
“As Ukraine runs low on ammunition to fend off Putin’s brutal invasion, it is imperative we finally extend our support. We must also live up to our commitments to our allies around the globe and quickly get more aid to innocent civilians caught in conflict, including in Gaza, where the humanitarian crisis is especially dire,” Democratic Sen. Patty Murray, chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, said in a statement.
She added: “I never believed we should link policy demands to emergency aid for our allies, but Republicans insisted — so Democrats negotiated in good faith over many weeks and now there is a bipartisan deal on border policy legislation. Ukraine’s fate and so much more hangs in the balance—it’s time for Congress to act.”
It is unclear exactly how much of the proposed humanitarian aid, which would provide food, water, shelter, and medical care, would ultimately be delivered to people in Gaza or the West Bank. However, Democratic Senators have been urging the Biden administration to get more aid into Gaza as Israel continues its attacks targeting the terrorist group Hamas.
Republicans have been heavily skeptical of proposals for continued aid to Ukraine, AP reported, with many prioritizing aid for Israel over continued support for Ukraine as it enters into its third year of war with Russia.
Democratic Sen. Chuck Schumer told reporters the bill is a “monumental step” toward strengthening national security, AP reported, adding that he has never worked so closely with GOP Sen. Mitch McConnell.
President Joe Biden said in a statement that the Senate proposal “allows the United States to continue our vital work, together with partners all around the world, to stand up for Ukraine’s freedom and support its ability to defend itself against Russia’s aggression,” per AP.
