Congress is desperately trying to prevent a government shutdown ahead of a March 22 deadline, leaving little time to focus on passing aid to Ukraine. A two-week Easter recess is scheduled to begin immediately afterwards and extend until April 8, potentially delaying a potential vote on the issue further.
After months of delays, the U.S. Senate passed an aid bill in February that included about $60 billion in funding for Ukraine, but House Speaker Mike Johnson has so far said refused to vote on the floorDespite pressure from the White House and other lawmakers.
The Department of Defense was able to unite. $300 million in funding In early March, it was Ukraine's first such aid package in months, but defense officials warned it was an unfair move. unlikely to be repeated And further support will require Congressional action.
While Congress is working to resolve funding disputes, largely centered on domestic politics, Johnson has declined to give a timeline for a vote on aid to Ukraine.
In early March, news outlets such as The Hill reported that Johnson and other Republicans were considering major changes to Ukraine aid, with one version proposing to treat non-military aid to Ukraine as a loan. It was reported that there was.
Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell dismissed the idea on March 20, saying such sweeping changes would further delay the chances of passing aid.
“Time is running out, and the best way for Ukraine to get the help it needs is for the House to pass the Senate bill,” McConnell said.
“The problem with changing that is it takes three days to do the simplest thing here in the Senate. We don't have time.”
The $300 million in funding handed out in early March may someday buy Ukraine, but U.S. officials say it will have a short-term impact and that the large-scale funding still being finalized in Congress He cautioned that it should not be considered as a replacement for a major support bill.
Despite the impasse, National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan said in comments during a surprise visit to Kiev on March 20 that he was confident the aid would eventually be passed. Stated.
Sullivan vows US to provide $60 billion aid package during Kiev visit
In a surprise visit to Kiev on March 20, US National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan announced that the US has agreed to provide Ukraine with a $60 billion aid package, despite the current deadlock in the Republican-controlled House of Representatives. promised to provide.
