Congressional party leaders reach consensus on aid to Ukraine and Israel - Senator

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (Getty Images)

During a Sunday phone call between United States President Joe Biden and Congressional leaders, a “consensus” was reached regarding the need for swift action by lawmakers to provide aid to Ukraine and Israel, according to the Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer.

The American senator expressed “hope” at a press conference in New York that “something can be accomplished this coming week to aid both countries.”

Earlier on Sunday, April 14, Biden spoke with Senate Majority Leader Schumer, Speaker of the House Mike Johnson, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell.

According to Schumer, the best way to send aid to Ukraine and Israel is to consider and pass the additional national security package approved by the Senate, which includes assistance to both countries. This refers to the $95 billion package approved by the Senate in February, which Johnson has yet to bring to a vote.

US aid to Ukraine

It was previously reported that the US had run out of funds for providing aid to Ukraine, and the issue of allocating new funds has been under consideration by Congress since last fall. A breakthrough occurred in February when the Senate passed a bill providing funds for assistance to Ukraine, Israel, and other US partners.

Ukraine is slated to receive over $60 billion under this bill.

However, the House of Representatives has yet to consider the bill supported by the Senate. Speaker of the House Mike Johnson has refused to put this bill to a vote, partly due to Donald Trump’s influence on the Republican Party.

Recently, after meeting with Johnson, Trump stated that he does not oppose American aid to Ukraine. However, according to him, it should not be a “gift.” Thus, Trump supported the idea of providing aid to Ukraine as a loan, a stance echoed within the Republican Party.

Additionally, on April 14, Chairman of the House Intelligence Committee, Republican Congressman Mike Turner, announced that the US House of Representatives will consider the issue of funding aid to Ukraine in its war with Russia this week. It is expected to receive overwhelming support from lawmakers.