US Senate passes long-delayed $95bn bill for aid to Ukraine and Israel

Republican hardliners have promised to oppose the passage of the bill through the House of Representatives.

The United States Senate has passed a $95bn bill with aid for Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan.

The long-delayed measure won approval from the upper house of Congress early on Tuesday. The legislation will now head to the Republican-controlled House of Representatives, where its chances of becoming law are slim.

The bill, which would open the way for desperately needed funding for Ukraine as it fights Russia’s invasion, has been delayed for months by Republican hardliners under the influence of former President Donald Trump.

However, a bipartisan push supported by moderates from the party helped it pass in an all-night session in the Democrat-controlled Senate. The vote saw 22 Republicans voting with Democrats to pass the package 70-29.

The bill still faces an uncertain fate with several right-wing Republicans in the House already saying they will block it. They insist that the $61bn for Ukraine should be spent instead on domestic issues, such as border security.

House Speaker Mike Johnson has made it clear that it could be weeks or months before Congress sends the legislation to President Joe Biden’s desk.