An emergency spending bill to provide billions of dollars in new security assistance for Ukraine and Israel was blocked in the US Senate on Wednesday as Republicans pressed their demands for tougher measures to control immigration at the US border with Mexico.
The vote was 49 in favor to 51 against, leaving the $110.5 billion measure short of the 60 votes needed in the 100-member Senate to pave the way to start debate, threatening President Joe Biden’s push to provide new aid before the end of 2023.
The vote was along party lines, with every Senate Republican voting no along with Senator Bernie Sanders, an independent who generally votes with Democrats but had expressed concerns about funding Israel’s “current inhumane military strategy” against Palestinians.
The bill would provide about $50 billion in new security assistance for Ukraine, as well as money for humanitarian and economic aid for the government in Kyiv, plus $14 billion for Israel as it battles Hamas in Gaza.
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, a Democrat, also voted “no” so that he could introduce the measure again in the future. After the vote, Schumer noted the risks if Ukraine falls, saying it was a “serious moment that will have lasting consequences for the 21st century,” risking the decline of Western democracy.
Republicans said it was essential to make their case for tighter immigration policies and control of the southern border.
“Today’s vote is what it takes for the Democratic leader to recognize that Senate Republicans mean what we say,” Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell said in a floor speech earlier on Wednesday. “Then let’s vote. And then let’s finally start meeting America’s national security priorities, including right here at home.”
Even if the bill passes the Senate, it still would need to be approved in the Republican-controlled House of Representatives, where dozens of Republicans have voted against Ukraine aid, including Speaker Mike Johnson.
Congressional Republicans and Democrats have been debating for months how to address Biden’s request for billions of dollars in funding for Ukraine as it fights Russian invaders, for Israel following the Oct. 7 attacks by Islamist Hamas militants, for US interests in the Indo-Pacific, and for international humanitarian relief.
