The US House of Representatives approves aid to Ukraine

The US House of Representatives approved a bill on financing aid to Ukraine. The matter will now be considered by the US Senate on Tuesday, April 23, and then signed by US President Joe Biden.

This is reported by RBC-Ukraine with reference to the broadcast of the vote in the House of Representatives.

The bill on aid to Ukraine was supported by the majority of congressmen in the House of Representatives. 311 congressmen voted "for", 112 against.

What is in the draft law on Ukraine

The total amount of the bill on aid to Ukraine, which was initiated by the Republican speaker of the House of Representatives, Mike Johnson, is 60.84 billion dollars. A third of these funds, namely $23.2 billion, will remain in the United States and will be spent on replenishing American reserves.

Where will the remaining funds be spent:

• 13.8 billion dollars - for the purchase of advanced weapons systems, defense products, and defense services for Ukraine;

• $11.3 billion - for current US military operations in Europe;

• $26 million - for continued oversight and accountability for aid provided to Ukraine.

Also, as part of this bill, Ukraine will receive $7.85 billion in direct financial aid to the state budget. This loan will have the right to write off the American president, but only after the US elections scheduled for November 5, 2024.

In addition, the bill obliges the US president to immediately transfer long-range ATACMS missiles to Ukraine. But the president has the right to refuse if this transfer could harm the national security of the United States.

The bill will now be sent to the US Senate for consideration. It is expected that senators will take up its consideration in the near future, despite the break provided by the Senate's schedule.

After the approval of the senators, the bill should be sent to US President John Biden for his signature. As stated by the leader of the majority in the Senate, Democrat Chuck Schumer, the document will be sent to the president's desk immediately after the vote.

At the same time, the White House has already promised that a new package of military aid to Ukraine from the US will be allocated immediately after the final approval of the bill. According to the American Politico, Ukraine may receive artillery and air defense systems, but the final size of the aid package is still unknown.

Author - Serhii Kolomiets, 21/04/2024