U.S. Senate ends debate on Ukraine aid. The main vote is ahead

Lawmakers are expected to vote on the substance of the document in the coming days, Ukrinform reports.

Despite efforts by a small group of Trumpist senators to impede the process, lawmakers in the upper chamber decided on Monday to conclude the debate on the revised text, which exclusively focuses on foreign aid and excludes the border issue. In this decision, 66 senators voted in favor, while 33 voted against. The favorable outcome necessitated the support of at least 60 lawmakers.

After the main vote, which may take place on Tuesday or Wednesday, if approved, the document will be submitted to the House of Representatives. It will also have to consider it, carry out all the necessary legislative procedures and vote as a full house.

Meanwhile, the Speaker of the House, ultra-conservative Mike Johnson, known for his support of former President Trump's positions, sharply criticized H.R. 815 on Monday. He echoed the rhetoric of a group of Republicans who tried to slow down the Senate's consideration, saying that the document does not contain provisions on border security and thus "silences" the most pressing problem for the United States.

"[In] the absence of having received any single border policy change from the Senate, the House will have to continue to work its own will on these important matters. America deserves better than the Senate's status quo," Johnson said.

Ukraine’s Ambassador to the United States Oksana Markarova also responded to the progress of the issue of aid to Ukraine on Facebook:

"The next step was the adoption of the Motion to End Debate on the Updated Text of H.R. 815 (National Security Act of 2024), which was supported by 66 senators (60 required), with 33 senators voting against."

• On February 8, 67 senators voted in favor of the draft law with a total of $95 billion in foreign aid. After agreeing on the amendments, the Senate is to vote on the substance of the bill and submit it to the House of Representatives.