Senate leaders aim to reinstate Ukraine aid excluded from spending bill that prevented government shutdown.
The U.S. Avoids Government Shutdown, but Ukraine Funding Sparks Showdown
The U.S. narrowly escaped a government shutdown, but now Senate leadership is gearing up for a new battle with the House. The temporary spending measure passed by the Senate excluded funding for the Ukraine war effort, setting the stage for a showdown.
The Senate voted 88-9 on Saturday evening to pass the House’s 45-day continuing resolution, which includes disaster relief but no Ukraine funding. It was then sent to President Joe Biden’s desk for signature. Senate Republicans abandoned a previous bipartisan continuing resolution after House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) abruptly changed plans Saturday morning, announcing the House would be taking up its own bipartisan measure.
Senate Allies Push for Ukraine Funding
Senate leaders had initially proposed legislation to fund the government until November, with $6 billion allocated for Ukraine. However, they now plan to pursue a stand-alone funding bill to provide additional support. One option is to use a recently passed House bill that allocated $300 million for Ukraine, which was removed from a House Republican-drafted defense bill.
There is also the possibility of attaching President Biden’s full-year appropriations request for Ukraine to the $300 million and sending it back to the House. In August, Biden called on Congress to provide an additional $24 billion.
“Ultimately Ukraine will get funding, it’s always difficult to figure out how to put it together,” said Sen. Thom Tillis (R-NC) when speaking with reporters this weekend. “I would bet my beloved four-wheel drive pickup truck that we will have some supplemental funding for Ukraine.”
However, House Speaker Kevin McCarthy cast doubt on the likelihood of a vote on additional aid to Ukraine in a stand-alone bill. He emphasized the need to prioritize border security, stating that more Americans are dying on the American border than in Ukraine.
Some senators believe that combining Ukraine funding with a border bill could be a more viable option in the future. The current bill funding the government through mid-November does not include any specific funding for the border, as Senate Republicans abandoned plans to attach a border amendment to their continuing resolution.
Commitment to Supporting Ukraine
Despite the ongoing debate, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and Minority Leader Mitch McConnell reiterated their commitment to supporting Ukraine after the passing of the continuing resolution.
“In the coming weeks, we expect the Senate will work to ensure the U.S. government continues to provide critical and sustained security and economic support for Ukraine,” the Senate leaders said in a joint statement.
The U.S. has already approved over $75 billion in aid to Ukraine since Russia’s invasion in February 2022. The Department of Defense has warned Congress that it is running low on funding to replace weapons provided to Ukraine, adding urgency to the push for more funding.
As tensions rise, there is growing division within the Republican Party regarding Ukraine aid. Some members of the far-right flank in the House are aggressively campaigning to slash funding, while others argue for a more comprehensive approach.
“They keep telling us that Ukraine is winning. And if Ukraine is supposedly winning the war, why are we hearing and seeing the White House going into panic mode… So I think we’re being lied to about what’s happening over there in Ukraine,” said Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA).
As the situation unfolds, the fate of Ukraine funding remains uncertain, with both sides preparing for a heated battle.
Cami Mondeaux, Reese Gorman, and Emily Jacobs contributed to this report.
What does the standoff between the Senate and the House over Ukraine funding suggest about Congress’ ability to work together and prioritize national interests
Due to the crisis at the border and that it should be the focus of Congress. McCarthy’s stance further exacerbates the tensions between the Senate and the House, creating a potential roadblock for the Ukraine funding.
Implications of the Showdown
The showdown between the Senate and the House over Ukraine funding has significant implications, both domestically and internationally. On the domestic front, failure to provide additional support to Ukraine could be seen as a abandonment of a critical ally in the face of Russian aggression. This could have repercussions on U.S. foreign policy and its position on global conflicts.
Internationally, the absence of Ukraine funding could be seen as a sign of weak commitment to supporting countries facing external threats. It could embolden Russia and other nations that engage in aggressive actions against their neighboring states, potentially destabilizing the international order.
The standoff also raises questions about the ability of Congress to work together and reach bipartisan agreements on crucial matters. With the country already facing significant challenges, such as the COVID-19 pandemic and economic recovery, the inability to overcome political differences and prioritize national interests is a cause for concern.
Path Forward
In order to avoid a prolonged showdown and ensure support for Ukraine, Senate and House leaders must find a way to come to a consensus. Compromise and negotiations will be crucial in reaching a resolution that addresses both border security concerns and the need for Ukraine funding.
One potential solution could be to allocate a portion of the requested funding for Ukraine while also addressing the border security issue that House Republicans prioritize. Such a compromise would demonstrate a willingness to work collaboratively and prioritize national interests.
Additionally, bipartisan dialogue and engagement could help bridge the divides and build trust between the two chambers. This could involve forming a bipartisan committee or task force that focuses specifically on urgent matters such as Ukraine funding, ensuring that the voices of both Republicans and Democrats are heard, and a consensus is reached.
Conclusion
While the U.S. narrowly avoided a government shutdown, the showdown over Ukraine funding highlights the challenges and divisions within Congress. The ability to overcome these differences and prioritize national interests is crucial for the stability of the country and its position in the international community.
Finding a way forward that addresses both border security concerns and the need for Ukraine funding requires compromise, negotiations, and bipartisan engagement. Only through such efforts can a resolution be reached that upholds U.S. commitments to its allies and maintains its credibility on the global stage.
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