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Transcript/ScriptUS CONGRESS – Ukraine Aid (TV)
HEADLINE: US Congress Passes $40B in Military, Humanitarian Aid for Ukraine
TEASER: The funding comes as the previous allocation is about to run out
PUBLISHED AT: 05/19/2022 at 1036p
BYLINE: Katherine Gypson
PRODUCERS: Katherine Gypson
DATELINE: Washington
VIDEOGRAPHER:
SCRIPT EDITORS: Holly Franko, Reifenrath
VIDEO SOURCE (S): AP, Feeds
PLATFORMS (mark with X): WEB __ TV _X_ RADIO __
TRT: 2:54
VID APPROVED BY: Jepsen
TYPE: TVPKG
UPDATE: ))
((INTRO))
[[The U.S. Senate passed a $40 billion bill Thursday that provides humanitarian and military assistance to Ukraine. After a week of delay, the vote means President Joe Biden will be able to sign the bill into law just as billions in aid passed earlier this year runs out. VOA’s Congressional Correspondent Katherine Gypson has more.]]
((NARRATOR))
Aid to Ukraine …
((NARRATOR))
… arriving just in time. The nearly $14 billion in military and humanitarian assistance passed by the U.S. Congress in March has almost run out. This massive new package passed with bipartisan support in a vote of 86-11.
((Sen. Chuck Schumer, Democratic Majority Leader))
“We, Americans, all of us, Democrat and Republican, cannot afford to stick our heads in the sand while Vladimir Putin continues his vicious belligerence against the Ukrainian people, while he fires at civilian hospitals and targets and kills children and innocent people. But when Republicans and a significant number oppose this package, that is precisely the signal we’re sending to our enemies abroad.”
((NARRATOR))
All eleven of those senators were Republican, including Rand Paul, who delayed the vote by a week by arguing for greater U.S. government oversight of the aid. Some are also concerned the U.S. has sent too much money to Ukraine while Americans face
rising costs of living. But the Senate’s top Republican said the cost of not acting is too high.
((Sen. Mitch McConnell, Republican Minority Leader))
"Aid for Ukraine goes far beyond charity. The future of America’s security and core strategic interests will be shaped by the outcome of this fight. Anyone concerned about the cost of supporting a Ukrainian victory should consider the much larger costs should Ukraine lose.”
((NARRATOR))
The U.S. also authorized $100 million in military equipment transfers.
((John Kirby, Pentagon Press Secretary))
“There will be 18 155-millimeter howitzers, 18 tactical vehicles to tow those howitzers and 18 artillery tubes — basically is our equivalent of a battalion, an artillery battalion, and three AN/TPQ-36 counter artillery radars.”
((NARRATOR))
The effort to target Russian oligarchs who benefit from Russian President Vladimir Putin’s decision to invade Ukraine will also receive an additional $100 million in funding. $900 million will go to aid Ukrainian refugees and $4.4 billion to address a food supply crisis.
((Antony Blinken, Secretary of State))
“The food supply for millions of Ukrainians and millions more around the world has quite literally been held hostage by the Russian military.”
((NARRATOR))
That aid is expected to be dispersed quickly once the bill receives Biden’s signature. Since the February 24 Russian invasion, the U.S. has sent nearly $54 billion in aid to Ukraine.
((Katherine Gypson, VOA News, Washington))
NewsML Media TopicsArts, Culture, Entertainment and Media
NetworkVOA
Location (dateline)Washington D.C.
Embargo DateMay 19, 2022 19:08 EDT
Byline((Katherine Gypson, VOA News, Washington))
Brand / Language ServiceVoice of America - English
