US Democrats propose $15 billion military loan for Ukraine
The US Congress will soon vote on Lindsey Graham's bill (photo: Getty Images)
Members of the Democratic Party in the US House of Representatives have proposed providing Ukraine with $15 billion in direct loans. The amendment was submitted as part of a sanctions bill against Russia and Iran, Forbes Ukraine reports.
"Bone-crushing sanctions" with Democrats' amendment
Democrats propose using these funds for Ukraine for:
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The purchase of defense articles,
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Defense services,
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Design and construction services.
Amendment No. 5 to the late Senator Lindsey Graham's H.R. 5334 bill was introduced by Democrats:
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Gregory Meeks,
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Bill Keating,
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Mike Quigley,
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Jamie Raskin.
In the House Rules Committee's list, it has the status Submitted, the media outlet notes.
What the amendment provides
The text of the amendment authorizes the US Secretary of State to provide Ukraine with $15 billion in direct loans. This would be in addition to funds already available under the program pursuant to the Arms Export Control Act.
The Rules Committee considered amendments to the bill on September 14. Three Democratic proposals were put to separate votes, and all were rejected by a vote of 3-7, the media outlet reports.
They included amendments on:
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Repealing broad secondary tariffs,
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Changing the standard for presidential waivers of sanctions,
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Establishing a list of countries subject to the tariff provisions.
The amendment on a loan for Ukraine did not receive a separate vote in the committee. The committee approved a procedural measure on the bill by a vote of 7-3.
The Democratic leadership in the House of Representatives previously openly opposed Graham's bill on sanctions against Russia. There is, though, no unity within the party on the issue.
In addition, on August 7, the US Senate approved the "bone-crushing sanctions" against Russia and Iran. Lindsey Graham's bill received 86 votes in favor and 11 against.
