Democratic Congress could revive US aid to Ukraine despite potential Trump veto, Reuters reports
Democrats' victory in both chambers of the US Congress could pave the way for renewed military and financial assistance to Ukraine and efforts to block President Donald Trump's easing of sanctions on Russia, Reuters reported on November 4.
Democrats secured control of the Senate and House of Representatives in the November 3 midterm elections. When the new Congress convenes in January, they will be able to set the legislative agenda and decide which bills come up for a vote.
According to Reuters, Democratic aides have identified renewed assistance to Kyiv as a priority.
Although Trump has largely halted direct US military and financial aid to Ukraine, support for Kyiv remains strong among lawmakers from both parties.
Reuters noted that this bipartisan backing could allow Congress to secure the two-thirds majorities required in both chambers to override a potential presidential veto on new aid legislation. However, the final size of the Democratic majorities has yet to be determined.
Democrats could also seek to reverse Trump's moves to ease sanctions on Russian energy exports.
Representative Gregory Meeks, who is expected to chair the House Foreign Affairs Committee, has already introduced bipartisan legislation aimed at blocking Trump's plan to return Russian diesel to the global market.
Beyond Ukraine, the Democratic-controlled Congress could seek to restrict Trump's military campaign against Iran, limit US military assistance to Israel, restore foreign aid funding and increase scrutiny of the administration's policies in Latin America.