Senate Approves $40 Billion for Ukraine Aid

The Senate voted 86-11 on Thursday to approve $40 billion in additional military, economic and humanitarian aid for Ukraine as Russia’s invasion continued. 

Speaking before the vote, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) said the aid package would “meet the large needs of the Ukrainian people as they fight for their survival.” Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) also supported the bill, saying, “Anyone concerned about the cost of supporting a Ukrainian victory should consider the much larger cost should Ukraine lose.” President Joe Biden also praised the bill for “sending a clear bipartisan message to the world that the people of the United States stand together with the brave people of Ukraine.” Biden is expected to sign the measure promptly. 

The 11 Republicans who voted no included Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.), who argued that “each income taxpayer in our country would need to pay $500 to support this $40 billion.” Paul previously delayed the bill’s Senate passage on May 12 by objecting to unanimous consent to waive procedural votes. The legislation passed 368-57 in the House on May 10; all 57 no votes came from House Republicans.

Coverage was widespread and mostly balanced across the spectrum, with most outlets covering the bill’s specifics and the arguments of both supporters and opponents. Right-rated outlets were somewhat less likely to continue featuring the story into the evening on homepages.