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US Senate Unveils $54.6 Billion Ukraine Aid Bill With Bipartisan Support
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A bipartisan group of US senators introduced a major piece of legislation aimed at providing tens of billions of dollars in military aid to Ukraine over the next two years, despite opposition from President Donald Trump’s administration, which had previously sought to cut such funding. The legislation came in on July 31.
The bill, introduced by Senate Appropriations Committee members Senator Lisa Murkowski (Republican-Alaska) and Senator Jeanne Shaheen (Democrat-New Hampshire), proposes $54.6 billion in additional aid for Ukraine’s defense efforts against Russia.
It comes as US lawmakers remain concerned about Moscow's refusal to negotiate an end to the war, with President Trump demanding a cease-fire deadline for Russia.
However, this legislation faces a tough road to becoming law, especially as Trump’s administration and a Republican-controlled Congress continue to struggle over the issue of foreign military aid, Reuters reports
On the same day, the US Senate Appropriations Committee approved $852 billion for the Department of Defense, a budget that includes $800 million for the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative (USAI). This funding is part of a broader bill that also includes $225 million for the Baltic Security Initiative, primarily aimed at supporting Ukraine in its ongoing defense against Russia.The bill passed by a 26–3 vote, with bipartisan support.
Despite the support for the bill, the Trump administration had initially asked Congress to eliminate funding for USAI in its budget request, showing the rift between the White House and lawmakers, particularly Senate Republicans.
Several GOP senators have expressed frustration over the White House’s decision to halt arms shipments to Ukraine, which had previously been authorized by Congress. The recent resumption of weapons shipments, however, has not been fully transparent, with some members of Congress seeking clarification about the deliveries, Reuters claims.
Shaheen and Murkowski’s proposed bill, which also includes a focus on strengthening US military capabilities by learning from Ukraine’s experience in the field, seeks to provide a significant boost to Ukraine’s military without relying on Trump’s hesitancy to provide aid.
One key provision in the bill involves funding for military production in the US, allowing American companies to help replenish weapons stocks.
The bill also proposes utilizing seized Russian assets to fund Ukraine's defense efforts, offering a creative way to support Ukraine’s needs while holding Russia accountable. Other provisions include funding for cybersecurity and military technology research, as well as support for war crimes prosecutions in Ukraine.
Senator Mitch McConnell (Republican-Kentucky), who chairs the defense subcommittee, emphasized during the Appropriations Committee hearing that the US cannot afford to disengage from Ukraine.
"Shutting off engagement with Ukraine would undermine our military's efforts to prepare for the modern battlefield," McConnell said, underscoring the importance of continued support.
The proposed bill will now need to pass the full Senate and be reconciled with the House of Representatives’ version of the Pentagon’s budget, which had adhered more closely to Trump’s initial request. If the bill passes both chambers, it will then be sent to the White House, where Trump could either sign it into law or veto it.
Previously, it was reported that the US President Donald Trump had condemned Russia’s latest deadly missile strike on Kyiv, calling the attack “disgusting” and promising new sanctions against Moscow, speaking at a White House press conference.
