Ukraine without funding. Biden signed the bill
The threat of a US government shutdown has been averted, as the Senate adopted a temporary government funding bill on Saturday. President Joe Biden has already signed it. However, Ukraine may have a problem because the bill does not include funds for further assistance to this country in its fight against Russia.
Oct 1, 2023 | updated: 9:06 AM EDT, October 5, 2023
By a majority of 88 to 9 votes, the Senate passed a bill for the temporary 45-day funding of government agencies and sent it to President Joe Biden to sign it before the final deadline. Biden signed the bill less than an hour before the end of September 30.
The provision about aid to Ukraine has disappeared from the law
The House of Representatives had previously adopted it, despite the objections of Donald Trump's supporters, who did not want to agree to the enactment of the budget contingency without deep cuts in funds for strengthening the border and above all, without removing from the project funds for aid to Ukraine.
The temporary bill will keep the government running until November 17 and includes disaster relief, but does not include additional funding for Ukraine due to opposition from some conservatives.
The President of the USA warmly welcomed the agreement reached on Saturday in the Senate regarding the continuation of temporary financing of the federal administration. At the same time, he called on Congress to quickly approve the assistance for Ukraine that had been excluded from the agreement - CNN reports.
- Under no circumstances can we allow American support for Ukraine to be interrupted - Biden stated.
In the same vein, Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin spoke out. - I am pleased with today's actions by Congress to prevent an unnecessary and destructive government shutdown, which would have a profound impact on the lives of our soldiers and civilians who work and dedicate themselves every day to defending this country - he stated.
- However, I also insist that Congress fulfill its American commitment to provide urgently needed assistance to the people of Ukraine who are fighting in defense of their own country against the forces of tyranny. America must keep its word - Austin said, quoted by CNN.
Statement of the US Senate leadership
Senate leadership members from both parties issued a joint statement, in which they committed to voting on further funding for aid to Ukraine "in the coming weeks".
As reported by CNN, Democratic leaders in the House of Representatives have stated that they expect House Speaker Kevin McCarthy from the Party to introduce a separate aid bill for Ukraine for voting.
Source: PAP, CNN
