The US Senate voted to move forward with an aid package that includes Ukraine and Israel worth $95.34 billion, in a procedural vote that moves the legislation a step closer to its approval.

66 members approved the legislation yesterday, Monday, while 33 rejected it, exceeding the required 60 votes and passing the last procedural hurdle before the final consideration of the draft law, tomorrow, Wednesday.

The vote represents a step by the Democratic-led Senate towards final approval of the aid package, amid growing doubts about the fate of the legislation in the Republican-controlled House of Representatives.

The legislation must be approved by the Senate and House of Representatives before Democratic President Joe Biden can sign it into law.

The bill may face a long-term dispute in the House of Representatives, as Speaker Mike Johnson said that the Republican majority to which he belongs wants additional measures to address the problem of the record flow of irregular migrants across the border between the United States and Mexico.

“In the absence of any change in border policy from the Senate, the House will have to continue to exercise its will on these important matters,” Johnson said in a statement issued before the start of voting in the Senate.

Package money

The aid package includes about $14 billion for Israel, which continues its aggression against Gaza, while the lion's share ($60 billion) will help Ukraine replace spent ammunition supplies, weapons, and other vital needs as the war between Russia and Ukraine enters its third year.

The package also includes $4.83 billion to support partners in the Indo-Pacific region, such as Taiwan, in addition to humanitarian aid worth $9.15 billion for civilians in Gaza, the West Bank, Ukraine, and other conflict areas around the world.