The US House of Representatives is set to vote on a bill this Saturday that authorizes $60 billion in military and economic aid to Ukraine. This comes after months of delays and opposition from some congressmen, but a bipartisan alliance between moderate Republicans and Democrats is pushing the bill forward. The bill is part of a package that includes aid to Israel, assistance to allies in the Indo-Pacific, and national security measures.
The unusual alliance between Democrats and some Republicans has angered a group of ultra-conservative Republicans who oppose giving more aid to Ukraine. This group threatens to remove the House president, Mike Johnson, who has been pushing for the aid package, for being too “soft.”
The situation in Ukraine is dire, with Russia launching attacks on civilian and energy infrastructure. NATO allies have promised to send more air defense systems to Ukraine, and countries like Germany and Spain are contributing Patriot defense systems. The urgency of the situation in Ukraine has led to a bipartisan agreement in Congress to move forward with the aid package, despite opposition from some members.
The aid package also includes provisions for stricter supervision to ensure transparency in the use of funds. The hope is that providing aid to Ukraine can help them repel Russian attacks and avoid a long and costly war. The House vote on the aid package will be a crucial moment in determining the level of support for Ukraine in the ongoing conflict.