The Senate just passed a nearly $40 billion military and economic aid package to help Ukraine repel Russia’s invasion, sending the bill to President Joe Biden’s desk and bringing America’s commitment to almost $54 billion. The 86-11 vote was overwhelmingly bipartisan, with all Democrats and most Republicans voting yes. The Republicans who opposed the bill cited its price tag and misgivings about long-term involvement in funding a foreign war. The deal marks the most substantial U.S. commitment yet to helping Ukraine as the war grinds on and Russia’s invasion focuses on the eastern Donbas region. It dwarfs the nearly $14 billion in emergency funding Congress approved in March and is even larger than the $33 billion emergency request Biden sent lawmakers last month. The bill’s passage was delayed about a week after Senator Rand Paul (R-Kentucky) thwarted an attempt to fast-track the Senate bill on Friday. He wanted language to be added that would give the Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction oversight of the money and weapons the U.S. is sending to Ukraine, and he raised concerns about further deficit spending to fund the package.
Statement by President Joe Biden on Senate Passage of Ukraine Supplemental
The Senate will now resume consideration of the motion to proceed to S.4008, Small Business COVID Relief Act of 2022 and at 1:45 P.M., the Senate will vote on the motion to invoke cloture on the motion to proceed. Supporters of the $48 billion bill to help restaurants and select other industries that suffered revenue losses during the pandemic are trying to make sure the key procedural vote passes but face stiff odds. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-New York) touted the bill’s bipartisan provisions in floor remarks Wednesday and mentioned the other industries the bill would help but focused his remarks on restaurants. Many restaurants have reopened and are seeing business return to normal, but they face labor shortages and debt they took on during the pandemic. The cost of the $48 billion package is only partially paid for, with $5 billion in unspent funds from the lapsed Paycheck Protection Program, a forgivable loan program first enacted in March 2020 that helped small businesses keep employees on payroll.
The Senate is also expected to consider the nomination of Stephanie Dawkins Davis to be United States Circuit Judge for the Sixth Circuit.
The House convened at 9:00 A.M. and passed H.R. 7688 – Consumer Fuel Price Gouging Prevention Act. The bill aims to ban the sale of fuel at an “excessive” price during times that are considered an energy emergency, but it does not offer particulars on what that price threshold is. It also seeks to give the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) the authority to pursue legal action if it discovers that price gouging is taking place. The bill passed 217-207, with no Republicans voting for it and four Democrats voting against it: Representatives Stephanie Murphy (Florida), Lizzie Fletcher (Texas), Kathleen Rice (New York) and Jared Golden (Maine). The legislation now heads to the Senate, where it is unlikely to make it over the hurdle of GOP opposition.
When the House adjourns today, it will be in a committee work week next week, followed by Memorial Day recess starting May 30th. The House will next meet for votes on Tuesday, June 7th.
Adam S. Olsen, Washington, D.C.
