As aid to Ukraine remains stalled in Congress, interest is growing in delivering funds as a loan, an idea originally proposed by former President Donald Trump. A $95 billion spending package passed by the Senate in February is stuck in the House due to opposition. The bill would allocate $60 billion to Ukraine, with the majority going to defense contractors or the Department of Defense. Trump and Senator Lindsey Graham have suggested providing the rest as a no-interest loan.
House Speaker Mike Johnson and other lawmakers see the loan idea as a viable path forward, with some likening it to the Marshall Plan. However, some lawmakers are hesitant about providing aid as a loan but remain open to the idea to ensure funds reach Ukraine. Supporters of aid to Ukraine are considering various options to get the necessary assistance approved, including a loan agreement.
While some ultraconservative lawmakers oppose additional aid for Ukraine, the loan proposal backed by Trump could potentially pave the way for approval from supporters of Ukraine aid in Congress. Both Republican and Democratic leadership in the Senate believe that the supplemental aid bill is the best way to provide funding to Ukraine, emphasizing the urgency of the situation. Some Democrats are willing to consider a loan if the Senate-approved package doesn’t move forward. The Biden administration has not ruled out the possibility of a loan, indicating that alternative paths are being considered to ensure aid reaches Ukraine.
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