US State Department believes Congress will approve additional funding for Ukraine

JAMES O’BRIEN. PHOTO: GETTY IMAGES

The US State Department is optimistic about the prospects for Congress’s approval of additional funding for Ukraine.

Source: James O’Brien, US Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs, on a briefing on Monday; European Pravda

Quote: “On Ukraine, we’re optimistic about a U.S. supplemental package.”

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Details: O’Brien noted that the Senate is preparing to make a decision on the package “in the next several weeks”, and in the US House of Representatives, “there is substantial majorities in the House that are supportive of a supplemental that will provide crucial security aid to Israel, Taiwan, and Ukraine, along with potentially addressing other crucial issues, such as migration.”

“Obviously, any political process is not done until it’s done, but we do think there are substantial majorities in favor of the package – should come to a vote in the Senate and the House,” O’Brien added.

In September, the White House asked Congress to approve a US$106 billion supplemental funding package that includes more than US$61 billion in funding for Ukraine along with assistance to Israel, Taiwan, and funding for border security.

But the initiative was stalled by the opposition of far-right Republicans in the House of Representatives, whose new speaker, Mike Johnson, proposed splitting assistance to Ukraine and Israel.

Earlier, it was reported that Chuck Schumer, the majority leader in the US Senate, plans to hold a vote regarding President Joe Biden’s request for billions of dollars in assistance to Ukraine and Israel as early as next week.

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