The Senate passes a new $40 billion aid package for Ukraine on Thursday in an 86-11 vote.
President Joe Biden is expected to sign the bill.
The Senate overwhelmingly approved $40 billion in military and humanitarian aid for Ukraine. https://t.co/EIW4doyZuV
— Forbes (@Forbes) May 20, 2022
A win for Ukraine (and Democrats?)
Biden thanked Congress “for sending a clear bipartisan message to the world that the people of the United States stand together with the brave people of Ukraine.”
BREAKING: Senate passes $40 billion military, economic and humanitarian aid package for Ukraine; bill now goes to President Biden, who is expected to sign. https://t.co/L066OWpxI3
— NBC News (@NBCNews) May 19, 2022
“The resources that I requested will allow is to send even more weapons and ammunition to Ukraine, replenish our own stockpile, and support U.S. troops stationed on NATO territory,” he said in a statement.
Why oppose?
The 11 no votes were all from Republican senators concerned over the level of spending in Ukraine while Americans face high inflation and gas prices.
“If Congress really believed giving Ukraine $40B was in our national interest, they could easily pay for it by taxing every income taxpayer $500. My guess is they choose to borrow the $ bc Americans might just decide they need the $500 more to pay for gas,” Kentucky Republican Sen. Rand Paul wrote.
If Congress really believed giving Ukraine $40B was in our national interest, they could easily pay for it by taxing every income taxpayer $500. My guess is they choose to borrow the $ bc Americans might just decide they need the $500 more to pay for gas. https://t.co/SWbFt2TELZ
— Rand Paul (@RandPaul) May 19, 2022
The new package includes $9 billion to replenish depleted U.S. weapons stockpiles, and $6 billion in training, equipment, weapons and logistics.
It will also provide about $8.8 billion for the Ukrainian government, $5 billion in global food aid, $4.35 billion in international disaster assistance and $900 million in refugee support services, according to The Hill.
The aid will certainly help Ukraine, but the dissenting votes show that a growing number of Americans are more concerned about matters at home.