Senate Passes $70 Billion G.O.P. Immigration Bill - The New York Times
It was a victory for President Trump and his party, though the debate exposed fissures between Republican senators and Mr. Trump on a variety of issues.
Senate Republicans on Friday rammed through their $70 billion bill to fund President Trump’s immigration crackdown through the remainder of his term, after beating back bipartisan efforts to add language to bar or sharply restrict a federal payout fund for his political allies.
‘I Love It’: Trump Is Still in Favor of $1.8 Billion Payout Fund - The New York Times
Todd Blanche, the acting attorney general, said on Tuesday that the administration was “not moving forward with the fund, period,” after the plan drew bipartisan backlash.
House Passes Ukraine Aid in Defiance of Republican Leaders - The New York Times
Eighteen G.O.P. lawmakers broke with their party and joined Democrats to deliver yet another blow to the president’s foreign policy agenda.
The House voted on Thursday to approve new aid for Ukraine and impose a fresh round of sanctions targeting the industries fueling Russia’s war economy, after 18 Republicans defied their leaders to join Democrats in support of a bill that runs counter to President Trump’s agenda.
The legislation, which passed 226 to 195, would provide $8 billion in loans to Ukraine and $1.8 billion in aid for military and security assistance. In addition to putting new sanctions on Russian-affiliated businesses and officials, it would also punish foreign companies, organizations and individuals that attempt to evade sanctions in an effort to support Moscow.
It now heads to the Senate, where Mr. Trump’s opposition has stopped similar attempts at new penalties on Russia and its allies. And even if it were to clear both chambers, it would likely be vetoed by the president.
Bombs Raining Down on Ukraine Can’t Hide Signs of Russia’s Faltering War
Zelensky Mixes Taunts and Peace Talks Offer in Letter to Putin - The New York Times
“After 26 years in power, age is beginning to take its toll,” President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine wrote of his Russian counterpart, bragging of a recent strike on St. Petersburg.
Backed by Trump, Opposed by Putin, and Fighting for His Political Life - The New York Times
Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan of Armenia is seeking re-election as his country weighs questions of war and peace, of autocracy and democracy, and of subjugation and independence.
Russia Floods Armenia With Disinformation Ahead of Election - The New York Times
Fearing a loss of influence, groups linked to the Kremlin and intelligence agencies have sought to discredit the country’s prime minister.
Russia Rails Against the West but Welcomes Candace Owens and Andrew Tate - The New York Times
While some powerful Russians shun the West, others want to restore ties and embrace friendly Westerners. President Vladimir V. Putin’s annual economic conference illustrates the conflicting impulses.
