Reuters: US Democrats Could Approve New Ukraine Aid, Overriding a Trump Veto
With Democrats set to control both chambers of the US Congress from January, Reuters reports they could advance new aid for Ukraine. It could draw the two-thirds majority needed to override a presidential veto.
Democrats will control both chambers of the US Congress from January, which could allow them to approve new aid for Ukraine, Reuters reports. Ukraine is fighting Russia's invasion, and President Donald Trump has practically halted direct financial and military assistance, despite broad support for such aid among both Democratic and Republican lawmakers.
What control of both chambers could change
Reuters writes that once in control in January, Democrats will decide what goes to a vote and when. That could let them push through new Ukraine aid, which would likely gain the two-thirds majority required to override a Trump veto. Democratic aides said assistance to Kyiv is a priority.
Trump recently angered members of Congress, including many Republicans, by lifting sanctions on Russian diesel fuel and abandoning sanctions on Russia's energy sector, only weeks after signing the relevant legislation. Gregory Meeks, a Democratic representative from New York who is likely to chair the House Foreign Affairs Committee, has introduced a bipartisan bill to block Trump's plan to return Russian diesel to the global market.
War with Iran
Democrats may also focus on Trump's conduct regarding the war with Iran. Trump launched the war together with Israel on 28 February without first obtaining congressional approval, and Democrats have repeatedly voted to end hostilities unless he seeks authorisation from Congress. One such resolution passed both the House of Representatives and the Senate with the backing of several Republicans, but the Trump administration ignored it.
With their new leverage, Democrats could cut defence spending or delay confirmation of nominees to force Trump to obtain congressional permission to continue the war. They could also demand that officials brief lawmakers and the public, including in open hearings, on their plans.
The Democratic Party won 220 seats in the House of Representatives, against the 218 needed for a majority, cementing its control of both chambers of Congress.
