Lawmakers could rush through $50 billion in aid for Ukraine before a possible GOP-led Congress can block it, report says

• Lawmakers are considering sending $50 billion to Ukraine as quickly as possible, NBC reported.
• They are said to be wary that the looming midterms could make passing such a measure impossible.

Lawmakers from both parties are considering plans to rush through a $50 billion aid package for Ukraine before a possible GOP-led Congress can block it, NBC News reported on Thursday.

A Republican senator and congressional aides told NBC News that lawmakers are in a hurry because they are concerned the package would not pass should the GOP takes back the House in the November midterm elections.

The new Congress begins in January, giving a small window to act before outgoing lawmakers leave office.

NBC did not say how many lawmakers supported the plans, beyond reporting that both Democrats and Republicans were involved.

It said the group hoped to use a looming government funding bill due as a vehicle for the deal, citing congressional aides.

$50 billion would represent the largest single package of assistance for Ukraine.

Its size would be "to make sure [Ukraine] can get through the year," the Republican senator with knowledge of the matter told NBC News. "It'll make the $12 billion look like pocket change."

The senator, who was not named, was referring to the most recent package approved by Congress last month, which was worth around $12.3 billion.

The report came after House GOP leader Kevin McCarthy warned that Republicans would not write a "blank check" for Ukraine if they retake the House.

Since Russia launched its full-scale invasion in February, Congress has approved some $60 billion in military, economic, and humanitarian aid for Ukraine, made up of many smaller packages.

Many Republicans have argued against sending so much to Ukraine, arguing that President Joe Biden should be focus on domestic issues including illegal immigration and fighting inflation.

Biden responded to the skepticism at a fundraiser on Thursday, saying: "They said that if they win [the midterms] they're not likely to fund, to continue to fund Ukraine," The Daily Telegraph reported.

"These guys don't get it. It's a lot bigger than Ukraine. It's Eastern Europe. It's NATO. It's really serious, serious consequential outcomes."