Senate Vote On Final Passage Of USD95bn Foreign Aid Bill Expected ~0515ET

Following a rare talking filibuster attempt by Republican lawmakers, the US Senate is set to vote on the final passage of a USD95bn package of aid for, among others, Ukraine and Israel, at around 0515ET (1015GMT, 1115CET). Late on 12 Feb, the Senate voted 66-33 to overcome the last procedural hurdle before a final vote can take place. This meant that the Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY)-led filibuster has proved more of a sideshow than a concerted and effective effort to stop the legislation proceeding.

• While the package's passage in the Senate will cheer the White House and moderate Republicans in favour of maintaining US support for Kyiv, it faces a sterner challenge in the House of Representatives before it can reach President Biden's desk.
• Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) faces a difficult challenge, with a razor-thin majority he has to corrall two vehemently opposed wings of his party: moderates in favour of maintaining aid and hard-line members on the right taking their cues from former President Donald Trump, who are deeply opposed.