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U.S. Senate leader hopes for Senate action on Ukraine aid as soon as next week

By Patricia Zengerle

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -U.S. Senate Majority Chief Chuck Schumer mentioned on Monday he hoped the U.S. Senate would take up President Joe Biden’s request for $33 billion in emergency assist for Ukraine as quickly as subsequent week.

“It’s my hope {that a} bipartisan settlement might be reached very quickly and that the Senate can start processing this assist bundle on the ground as early as subsequent week,” the Democratic chief mentioned in remarks opening the Senate.

“Rapidly approving this emergency funding is crucial to serving to the folks of Ukraine of their struggle in opposition to Russia,” Schumer mentioned. “Once more, I anticipate either side to work rapidly, decisively and with bipartisan cooperation to get this assist out the door and onto the president’s desk,” Schumer mentioned.

Biden requested Congress on Thursday for the cash to assist the federal government in Kyiv – a dramatic escalation of U.S. funding for Ukraine greater than two months after it was invaded by Russia.

Lawmakers from each events mentioned they wished to approve the emergency funding request rapidly, however variations between Democrats and Republicans over what ought to be in any laws may stall it in Congress.

Schumer didn’t point out linking the Ukraine assist to laws that would offer billions of {dollars} in reduction associated to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Many Democrats have mentioned they wish to mix the Ukraine and COVID funds into one invoice. However Republicans, who’ve questioned how previous COVID funds have been spent, say they need the problems settled individually.

“It’s so much simpler in the event that they take the Ukraine invoice individually,” Senator John Thune, the chamber’s No. 2 Republican, informed reporters. He additionally prompt that the final word measurement of the Ukraine assist invoice would in the end surpass Biden’s request.

“Some assume it isn’t excessive sufficient,” he mentioned.

(Reporting by Patricia Zengerle, extra reporting by David Morgan; Enhancing by Cynthia Osterman)



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