In a last-minute effort to prevent a government shutdown, President Joe Biden signed a stopgap funding bill on Saturday, ensuring that the government remains open for the next 45 days. However, this swift resolution followed a day of political turmoil and left a critical issue unresolved – aid for Ukraine.
A Chaotic 24 Hours
The events leading up to the signing of the stopgap bill were marked by uncertainty and unpredictability. Speaker Kevin McCarthy’s sudden decision to bring a clean, stopgap bill for government funding through November 17, 2023, took many by surprise, including the White House. While the bill averted a government shutdown, it did not address aid for Ukraine.
The Biden administration had been taken off guard by McCarthy’s reversal but appeared relatively satisfied with the outcome. The bill not only funded the government but also allocated $16 billion for disaster relief, avoiding deep cuts to essential domestic programs.
Ukraine Aid Remains Unresolved
However, the absence of aid for Ukraine was a significant setback for both President Biden and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Despite the exclusion of Ukraine aid in the stopgap bill, White House officials downplayed the issue, noting that Speaker McCarthy had expressed support for such aid and was expected to introduce a separate bill soon.
President Biden emphasized his expectation of a future attempt to pass Ukraine aid, stating, “We cannot under any circumstances allow American support for Ukraine to be interrupted.”
A Complex Political Landscape
The absence of Ukraine aid in the bill reflects the complex political landscape surrounding the issue. While Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer expressed the Senate’s commitment to securing Ukraine aid, the House GOP’s stance is less clear. McCarthy’s office did not respond to requests for comment on the matter.
The expectation on Capitol Hill is that a vote related to Ukraine aid will occur in the coming week, given strong support in the Senate. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries urged House Republicans to decide whether they would support Ukraine and its people or align with the pro-Putin caucus in the House Republican conference.
Despite some intrigue over the bill’s components, including concerns about a cost-of-living adjustment for congressional members, there were no visible obstacles. The White House maintained its distance from the whip count operation, emphasizing President Biden’s prior funding agreement with Speaker McCarthy.
A Complex Path Forward
As the government remains open, the fate of Ukraine aid remains uncertain. The Biden administration’s silence on the bill implies that they did not oppose it, and it garnered the support of over 200 House Democrats. The path forward will likely involve further negotiations and legislative actions to ensure that Ukraine receives the support it urgently needs.
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