US Congress delays vote on Ukraine aid package until mid-March

Michael McCaul, chairman of the U.S. House Foreign Affairs Committee, said this, according to Reuters.

"I don't want to speak for the speaker, but I do think he wants to get through the appropriations process first — that takes us to March 8 — and then deal with the supplemental (by allocating funds - ed.)," Republican Representative Michael McCaul said.

He also stated that he had not carefully read the bill, but expressed concerns, particularly regarding the proposed changes in military funding.

McCaul also emphasized that the bill allocating aid to Ukraine will be passed by the House of Representatives if Speaker of the House Michael Johnson allows a vote, despite opposition from a vocal group of legislators most closely associated with former President Donald Trump.

"There are some that I don't think can be persuaded because the narrative is so strong," McCaul said. "I think the brainwashing, if you will, that we have to choose between our southern border and Ukraine has been out there. I don't agree with that. ... I think we're a great nation, and we can do both,” noted McCaul.

• On February 13 the US Senate voted in favor of a bill to aid Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan. Now the decision is up to the House of Representatives.

• However, the US House of Representatives adjourned until the end of February without voting on a package bill that includes funds to support Ukraine.

• US President Joe Biden has called outrageous the actions of members of the House of Representatives who went on a two-week recess without passing aid to Ukraine.