US Senate begins passage vote on Ukraine aid bill

The Democratic-led U.S. Senate began voting on Tuesday on passage of a $95.34 billion aid package for Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan, amid growing doubts about the legislation’s fate in the Republican-controlled House of Representatives.
The lawmakers need to reach a 60-vote threshold to send the legislation on to the House. It was not clear how long the chamber would take to complete the pre-dawn vote.
Democratic President Joe Biden has been urging Congress to hurry the new aid to Ukraine and U.S. partners in the Indo-Pacific, including Taiwan, for months. After Hamas’ Oct. 7 attack on Israel, he also requested funds for the U.S. ally, along with humanitarian aid for Palestinians in Gaza.
Ukrainian officials have also warned of weapons shortages at a time when Russia is pressing ahead with renewed attacks.
But both houses of Congress must approve the legislation before Biden can sign it into law.