ROUGH CUT (NO REPORTER NARRATION)<br/> <br />STORY: A bill providing economic assistance to Ukraine and imposing sanctions over Russia's actions in Ukraine cleared a procedural hurdle in the U.S. Senate on Monday (March 24), as backers attempted to win passage of the legislation later this week.<br/> <br />By a vote of 78-17, the Senate laid the groundwork for debating a bill that would back a $1 billion loan guarantee for the government in Kiev, provide $150 million in aid for Ukraine and neighboring countries and require sanctions on Russians and Ukrainians responsible for corruption, human rights abuses or undermining stability in Ukraine.<br/> <br />The measure also includes reforms to the International Monetary Fund that are opposed by many congressional Republicans and are not included in a version of the bill in the House of Representatives, which could complicate efforts to pass a Ukraine aid bill.
