State Dept Announces "One Of Last" Ukraine Packages B/fore Funds Expire

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has announced a USD$175m package of arms and equipment to Ukraine, saying in a statement that the package, "will be one of the last US can provide to Ukraine," before authorised funds are exhausted.

• Blinken: "Unless Congress acts to pass the President’s national security supplemental funding request, this will be one of the last security assistance packages we can provide to Ukraine.., and we need Congress to act immediately."
• Blinken's statement is the latest in a last-minute drive to apply pressure on Republicans in Congress to approve the Senate version of President Biden's national security supplemental funding request which is up for a procedural vote in the Senate today.
• Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) posted on X moments ago: "Today, the Senate will hold a vote on moving forward on a national security supplemental. America’s safety, the safety of democracy, and the future of the war in Ukraine is at stake. The world is watching. Our adversaries are watching."
• For the bill to pass, Democrats will need nine Republicans to vote in favour. This appears unlikely as Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY), despite being a strong advocate for Ukraine, has whipped against the bill for lacking a border package.
• The level of pressure from the administration in the leadup to the vote, including White House remarks from President Biden a short time ago, suggests that the White House considers a successful vote possible.