The Senate is closer to approving aid for Ukraine

The Senate easily cleared a procedural hurdle on Tuesday afternoon $95 billion national security package, setting up a final vote.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (DN.Y.) said in the audience that “the time has come to finish the job and help our friends abroad once and for all.”

“Let’s not keep our friends around the world waiting a moment longer,” Schumer said.

A final vote could take place as early as Tuesday evening.

The House already passed the national security bill this weekend, meaning the legislation will head to President Biden’s desk after Senate approval.

Biden has long called for support in defense of Ukraine, Israel and other allies and is expected to quickly translate it into law.

The package comes after months of delays on Capitol Hill, where some Republicans in the House of Representatives have questioned Ukraine’s funding of Russian forces.

That delay has led Russia to crack down on Ukraine’s struggling army on the battlefield.

Republican leader of the Senate Mitch McConnell (Ky.) Warned that “hesitation and hesitation” have already strengthened Russia.

“Make no mistake: delays in supplying weapons to Ukraine to defend itself have dented the prospects for defeating Russian aggression,” he said in the Senate.

Pentagon Press Secretary Major General Pat Ryder said the military can get Ukraine what it needs within days of the passage.

“We understand the importance and urgency and are doing everything we can to respond quickly,” he told reporters.

The US will send 155 millimeter artillery shells, air defense munitions and armored vehicles in no time. $1 billion package, he reported Associated Press.

Separately, the Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky said he spoke with President Biden and there was an agreement to send the best versions of the Army Tactical Missile System, which can strike targets up to 200 miles away.

Zelensky said he was grateful to the US and “all those who support the active defense of freedom.”

Read the full report at TheHill.com.