Zelensky demands US House vote for Ukraine funding bill

Following the Senate's passing of a $95 billion foreign aid package on Tuesday, the leader of the bill's main beneficiary, Ukraine, called on the House of Representatives to follow their colleagues' lead and vote yea.

President Volodymyr Zelensky said passing the latest round of funding for the war-torn nation was the "moral" thing to do.

"A strategically important vote took place today in the United States," he said in a video message. "The Senate voted in favor of a package of further support for our country, our warriors, our efforts, and democracy in general."

He thanked every Senator who voted yea for "making a morally strong choice," adding that the decision was crucial not just for Ukraine, but "all nations whose independence is a target for Russian attacks either now or in the future."

"The next step is a vote in the House of Representatives," he continued. "This is extremely important. We anticipate an equally strong moral choice and decision that will enter into effect contributing to our common security."

The foreign aid package, which also dedicates funding to Israel and Taiwan, passed with a 70-29 vote as 22 Republicans joined their Democratic colleagues to side in favor of the bill.

House Speaker Mike Johnson has indicated that when he will block the measure when it enters his chamber in the coming days.

"House Republicans were crystal clear from the very beginning of our discussions that any so-called national security supplemental legislation must recognize that national security begins at our own border," Johnson wrote in a statement. "

The House acted ten months ago to help enact transformative policy change by passing the Secure Our Border Act, and since then, including today, the Senate has failed to meet the moment."

"The mandate of national security supplemental legislation was to secure America's own border before sending additional foreign aid around the world," he added. "It is what the American people demand and deserve. Now, in the absence of having received any single border policy change from the Senate, the House will have to continue to work its own will on these important matters. America deserves better than the Senate's status quo."