Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.) was feeling despondent on Tuesday at the thought of leading a delegation to the upcoming Munich Security Conference. His frustration stemmed from Congress not yet approving additional funds to support Ukraine in its war against Russia. However, the tide shifted on Thursday when a bipartisan group of 67 senators voted to open debate on a $95 billion security measure, with almost two-thirds of that money directed toward Ukraine. A final vote on the measure could come by midweek, just as about 30 senators are set to head to Europe.
Whitehouse was in better spirits after the vote, expressing hope that they may not be empty-handed after all. The Munich Security Conference has traditionally been a forum for demonstrating transatlantic unity, allowing both parties’ internationalist wings to showcase their visions of U.S. leadership. Last year, it saw record-high numbers of U.S. lawmakers in attendance, standing in unity against Russian President Vladimir Putin while assuring European allies not to worry about a small group of vocal Republicans opposing additional funding for Ukraine.
However, support for Ukraine funding has been waning, with 31 GOP senators opposing the recent security package in the Senate. Some Republicans refuse to provide funds for Ukraine under any circumstances, while others want their exact border security prescriptions accepted by President Biden in exchange for support. The future of the measure in the House is uncertain, given the increasingly nativist leanings of the GOP.
Despite this, Whitehouse remained optimistic, hopeful that a larger, bipartisan vote in the Senate would come within a few days of the measure’s passage, making for a much more enjoyable trip to the Munich Security Conference.
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