US senators pass bill promising aid for Ukraine

The US Senate passed an emergency budget bill on April 23 that includes additional aid for Ukraine.

It had already passed the House of Representatives, and is set to be enacted after President Joe Biden signs it, according to NHK World Japan.

Ahead of the vote in Washington, US Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said, "Let us not keep our friends around the world waiting for a moment longer."

US Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell said, "Today, the Senate faces a test, and we must not fail it."

The Senators approved aid of more than $60 billion, which Biden has already promised to sign into law. The legislation will allow officials at the Pentagon to ship military equipment within days. It will also allow US authorities to seize frozen Russian assets and transfer them to fund Ukraine's recovery.

More than $26 billion will be set aside to support the Israelis' efforts to defend themselves against Iran and its proxies. The legislation also directs $8 billion to the efforts in Taiwan and the Indo-Pacific region to "counter" China.