(CNN) — The US Senate held a key vote on Thursday to advance a $95.3 billion foreign aid package that provides aid to Israel and Ukraine, after Republicans earlier this week blocked a broader bill that included border security measures.
A crucial foreign aid package is now a step closer to its final approval, which is still days away. All senators need to agree on a timetable to get the legislation out of the chamber quickly, and opposition to foreign aid from key senators is likely to slow the process. Because Kentucky’s Republican Sen. Rand Paul, a longtime opponent of foreign aid, said he would not agree to rush the process, saying it would be a painstaking path for the Senate to eventually pass the bill.
Thursday’s vote carried the bill by 67 votes in favor and 32 against. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer called it “a good first step” and said “not passing this bill will only embolden autocrats like Putin … who want nothing more than the downfall of the United States.” joined”.
If the bill ultimately passes the Senate, it will then go to the House of Representatives, where it is unclear when House Speaker Mike Johnson will vote on it.
Senators are scheduled to be on recess next week. Schumer said Thursday that the Senate would continue to work on the project “until the job is done.”
The foreign aid package includes billions of dollars to support Ukraine and security aid to Israel, as well as humanitarian aid for civilians in Gaza, the West Bank and Ukraine.
The bill includes $60 billion to support Ukraine in its fight against Russia; $14.1 billion in security aid to Israel; US$9.2 billion in humanitarian aid; and $4.8 billion to support regional partners in the Indo-Pacific region, among other provisions, according to the Senate Appropriations Committee.
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