Deal on US aid to Ukraine edges closer: Senator
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Senator Kyrsten Sinema has told KGUN 9 that the US lawmakers are drawing closer to a deal on a highly-debated aid package to Ukraine.
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Senator Kyrsten Sinema (L) and Senator Roger Marshall (R) speak prior to Israeli President Isaac Herzog addressing a joint meeting of Congress, at the Capitol in Washington, United States, July 19, 2023 (AP)
White House and Senate negotiators are on the verge of finalizing a comprehensive deal for a supplemental bill aimed at funding aid to Ukraine and US national security measures, including enhanced border security.
"We are very close, we're dealing with the last one or two items, but we're working productively with a shared focus on getting to an agreement," Senator Kyrsten Sinema stated in an exclusive interview with local news broadcaster KGUN 9.
Sinema revealed that she anticipates a draft text of the bill to be available for other lawmakers to review shortly. This development comes amid mounting concerns over the urgency of providing aid to Ukraine and "Israel", two key US allies.
The White House has requested Congress to allocate more than $100 billion in supplemental funds, with a substantial portion earmarked for Ukraine, exceeding $60 billion. However, the approval of this request has encountered resistance from Republican lawmakers who insist on incorporating measures to fortify border security and impose restrictions on immigration.
Reports suggest that the White House is now open to collaborating with Senate Republicans to include provisions in the legislation that would significantly tighten immigration policies.
Read more: No more blank checks: US Sen. demands halting uncapped aid to 'Israel'
US legislators reach a deadlock
Earlier in December the US Senate was faced with deadlock after lawmakers failed to advance a crucial supplemental funding bill worth over $100 billion.
The legislative impasse stems from an ongoing clash between Republican and Democrat lawmakers over the inclusion of "border security measures" in the proposed legislation. The bill, led by Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and endorsed by the White House, encountered a significant setback as senators rejected a crucial procedural motion to initiate debate. The measure needed a minimum of 60 votes to move forward, which it failed to achieve.
This news comes as reports indicate that the US and the EU have abandoned their goal of "total victory" against Russia in favor of a negotiated settlement that may give some territory to Moscow.
Both the White House and the Pentagon have publicly said there has been no formal change in policy. However, according to Politico's Michael Hirsh, two unidentified US government officials, including a White House spokesperson, and a European ambassador expressed that this is not the case. Hirsh detailed that American and European officials are now "discussing the redeployment" of Ukrainian soldiers away from the "mostly failed" counteroffensive and toward a defensive posture.
Importantly, the US is now heavily involved in the Israeli genocidal war on the Gaza Strip, which has seen it allocate billions worth of military equipment to the occupation, while also deploying substantial military assets across the region to deal with the blowback of deeply unpopular action.
Read more: Ukraine, 'Israel' depleting US shells stocks, prompting $871mln. order
