12:00ET/17:00BST: Senate To Vote On Ukraine Aid Package

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) has scheduled a vote today on the ~USD$40 billion military and humanitarian aid package for Ukraine.

• After a procedural vote to break Senator Rand Paul's (R-KY) blockade on the bill, a final vote (requiring a simple majority) is expected to take place at 12:00ET/17:00BST.
• There will be a handful of GOP ‘noes’ but the bill will be approved with a strong bipartisan vote.
• Schumer was scathing of Paul's objection to the bill: ‘This should already have been done and over with, but it is repugnant that one member of the other side, the junior senator from Kentucky, chose to make a show and obstruct Ukraine funding.’
• Paul in response said: ‘I went home and I had a standing ovation from 200 people at a Lincoln Day dinner, who all say, ‘Thank you for holding up this money. We need help at home. We can’t get baby formula. We can’t pour our gas.’
• Although the bill will pass today it may foreshadow a splintering of the bipartisanship that has characterised support for Ukraine in Congress.
• Former President Donald Trump said Democrats 'are sending another USD$40 billion to Ukraine, yet America’s parents are struggling to even feed their children.'
• As the midterms approach President Biden may expect more significant opposition to another Ukraine aid package, should it be required.