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.