The Republican-controlled US House of Representatives is set to vote on, and expected to pass, a $95bn package providing security assistance to Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan today.
Before the voting, the House began a sombre but serious debate with an unusual sense of purpose as Republican committee chairs and top Democrats on the panels united to urge swift passage that would ensure the US supports its allies and remains a leader on the world stage.
“The eyes of the world are upon us, and history will judge what we do here and now,” said Michael McCaul, chairman of the House foreign affairs committee.
The weekend scene presented a striking display of congressional action after months of stalemate fuelled by Republicans, who hold the majority but are deeply split over foreign aid, particularly for Ukraine.
Speaker Mike Johnson is relying on Democratic support to ensure the military and humanitarian package is approved, and help flows to the US allies.
There will be a series of votes on three aid bills, for Ukraine, Israel and the Indo-Pacific, as well as a fourth that contains several other foreign policy proposals, including a clampdown on the social media platform TikTok.
If the votes are successful, the package will go to the Senate, where passage in the coming days is nearly assured.
President Joe Biden has promised to sign it immediately.
Passage through the House would clear away the biggest hurdle to Mr Biden’s funding request, first made in October as Ukraine’s military supplies began to run low.
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