U.S. House of Representatives plans to delay vote on aid to Ukraine until mid-March
The U.S. House of Representatives will not vote on aid to Ukraine until March (photo: Getty Images)
The House of Representatives of the U.S. is unlikely to vote on the aid package to Ukraine before mid-March, states Michael McCaul, the chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee.
"I don't want to speak for the speaker, but I do think he wants to get through the appropriations process first- that takes us to March 8 - and then deal with the supplemental," said McCaul.
He also mentioned that he hadn't carefully read the bill but had concerns, particularly about the proposed changes to military funding.
McCaul emphasized that the bill to provide aid to Ukraine will pass the House of Representatives if Speaker Mike Johnson allows a vote, despite opposition from a group of lawmakers closely associated with former President Donald Trump.
"I think the brainwashing, if you will, that we have to choose between our southern border and Ukraine has been out there. I don't agree with that. ... I think we're a great nation and we can do both," McCaul said.
Aid from the U.S. to Ukraine
Last year, President Joe Biden requested over $100 billion from Congress for aid to Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan, as well as for border security.
Republicans refused to support the initiative, demanding tougher border security measures. As a result, aid to Ukraine became contingent on the position of members of the Republican Party.
Recently, the U.S. Senate began considering a bill for aid to Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan without funding for border security. On February 13, senators supported the bill. For the bill to take effect, it still needs to pass the House of Representatives and be signed by President Joe Biden.
Speaker of the House Mike Johnson has already opposed such an initiative. Therefore, he may not bring the bill to the House of Representatives for consideration.
