Republicans develop their own assistance package for Ukraine – NBC News

Republicans in the House of Representatives, Speaker Mike Johnson and chairs of key House committees dealing with national security issues have been working on developing their own assistance package for Ukraine, which they hope will pass through Congress without alienating conservatives opposed to further funding for Ukraine.

Source: NBC News with reference to three sources

Details: The plans are in the preliminary stages and far from being finalised, but Republicans who support Ukraine want to be ready to pass the legislation as soon as Congress approves another government funding bill on 22 March. 

Two sources said further delays could push the crucial assistance for Ukraine into April, considering the planned two-week congressional recess at the end of March.

Among the proposals being discussed is to consider a portion of non-military assistance as a loan, stated House Foreign Affairs Chairman Mike McCaul, the Texas Republican participating in the discussions, and Senator Lindsey Graham, the South Carolina Republican.

Economic assistance to support Ukraine's general government operations and its long-term reconstruction efforts under this plan would be subject to loan terms. Russian assets seized by the US government due to sanctions could also be used as loans.

Loans provision as part of the package aims to alleviate concerns among conservatives in the House of Representatives who have criticised the billion-dollar American assistance to Ukraine. They have stated that they do not support further allocation of taxpayer money without a long-term plan for victory in the war.

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