New bill introduced in US Senate includes funding package for Ukraine

The Hill reported this development.

The proposed law outlines over $15 billion in assistance for Ukraine, specifically focusing on "military training, intelligence exchange," and "strengthening the presence" in the European Command's designated area.

Additionally, the legislation earmarks $10.6 billion in aid for Israel, allocating $4 billion for anti-missile defense, and $1.2 billion to expedite the development of the Iron Beam anti-missile defense system.

It also designated $43.6 billion to enhance Israel's weapons and ammunition production capacity, along with investments in the American submarine industrial base.

Noteworthy provisions include an allocation of around $1.4 billion to hire teams of immigration judges, including paralegals, court administrators, translators, and other support staff.

Furthermore, the bill earmarks hundreds of millions of dollars to address the shortage of DNA samples from migrants apprehended by the U.S. Border Patrol. It also aims to enhance the Drug Enforcement Administration's analysis of illegal fentanyl samples, tracing them back to manufacturers to curb the illicit shipment of the opioid.

The document is set for an initial procedural vote on Wednesday, December 6. However, the bill's passage remains uncertain, with Republicans advocating for more robust measures to safeguard the southern border.

• On December 2, John Kirby, the Coordinator of the US National Security Council, urged Congress once again to approve the necessary funds to sustain aid to Ukraine. He emphasized that this action must be taken before the end of the current calendar year.
• On Monday, December 4, the White House stated that without Congress making a decision, the funds to supply weapons to Ukraine in its struggle against Russia will run out by the year's end.
• President Volodymyr Zelenskyy unexpectedly canceled his scheduled speech before US lawmakers on Tuesday, December 5.
• US State Department representative Matthew Miller assured that the funding package for Ukraine would be passed during the vote on December 6. Nevertheless, US House Speaker Mike Johnson and US Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell are advocating for significant changes in border policy.