Congress hopes to approve aid to Ukraine and Israel before Christmas

Leaders of the US Congress hope to pass an additional package of measures to help Ukraine and Israel by the end of the year.

RBC-Ukraine reported this with reference to NBC News.

The ambitious timeline implies reaching an agreement that satisfies the US Department of Defense's requests for funding to help conflict zones, while simultaneously developing an immigration package that not only provides resources for border security but also contains a number of policy changes to appease conservatives and not alienate progressive Democrats.

The Republican-led U.S. House of Representatives has already passed a bill to help Israel, but it includes significant cuts to the IRS and excludes humanitarian aid, both of which the White House and Senate Democrats consider unacceptable. The question is how the next phase of negotiations will proceed.

Senate leaders, both Republicans and Democrats, believe that the best way to develop a bill that has a chance of passing both chambers and receiving President Joe Biden's signature is likely to be through the Senate, where there is room for bipartisan negotiations.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer has made it clear that passing additional aid will be one of his top priorities between Thanksgiving and Christmas, i.e. between November 23 and December 25.

"I know that both sides have a sincere interest in approving aid to Israel and Ukraine, as well as in helping innocent civilians in Gaza. So I hope that we can reach an agreement, even if neither side gets everything they insist on. But we will work on it immediately when we return after Thanksgiving," he said.

Author - Serhii Kolomiets, 20/11/2023