On Thursday, a contentious bill aimed at allocating millions of dollars to Ukraine and Israel took its initial stride in the Senate, marking the beginning of what could be a protracted legislative journey.
This foreign aid-focused bill, devoid of any considerations for domestic concerns, successfully moved forward on a procedural vote just a day after a parallel bill, which also addressed issues at the southern border, faced strong opposition from Republicans.
With a vote of 67-32, the $95 billion bill managed to secure passage, as reported by NBC News. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, flanked by a coalition of Republican senators including Shelley Moore Capito, John Thune, and Susan Collins, rallied behind the bill, emphasizing their commitment to channeling vast sums abroad while overlooking critical matters within our borders.
The Washington Post reported that Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, hailing from Kentucky, found support for the bill from a cadre of Republican senators. This included Shelley Moore Capito of West Virginia, John Thune and Mike Rounds of South Dakota, Bill Cassidy and John Kennedy of Louisiana, Lisa Murkowski and Dan Sullivan of Alaska, Roger Wicker of Mississippi, Susan Collins of Maine, Todd Young of Indiana, Mitt Romney of Utah, Joni Ernst and Chuck Grassley of Iowa, Thom Tillis of North Carolina, John Cornyn of Texas, and Jerry Moran of Kansas.
Senator Bernie Sanders, the independent from Vermont, stood in opposition to the bill, citing his disapproval of Israel’s actions in Gaza. The proposed legislation includes a staggering $60 billion in aid for Ukraine and an additional $14 billion earmarked for Israel.
Labeling it a “good first step” for national security, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer of New York expressed determination to keep pushing the bill forward until completion.
However, not all senators shared Schumer’s enthusiasm. Republican Senator Rand Paul of Kentucky voiced his intention to employ every procedural tool at his disposal to impede the process. He declared his willingness to prolong the Senate session, asserting that he would compel his colleagues to discuss the misplaced priorities of prioritizing Ukraine’s border over our own.
The procedural vote sets the stage for what appears to be an impending clash over potential amendments to the bill. Senator Marco Rubio of Florida derisively dubbed it a “midnight train to nowhere,” foreseeing a divisive debate on its way.
Senator Kevin Cramer of North Dakota echoed the sentiment, emphasizing that regardless of the path taken, a swift resolution is unlikely. With the Senate scheduled for a two-week recess next week, the urgency to conclude the debate looms large.
Senator Thom Tillis highlighted the need to reach a conclusion and urged the Senate to take responsibility for the outcome, dismissing the notion of a cooling-off period. Meanwhile, some Republicans hinted at possible amendments related to border security, asserting that our own border poses a more immediate national security threat than the situation in Ukraine.
Senator Lindsey Graham of South Carolina pledged support for Ukraine after a reasonable effort to address border security concerns, while Senator Tommy Tuberville of Alabama expressed the likelihood of border-related adjustments without duplicating the contents of the previously defeated bill on Wednesday. In his words, there is a need to at least project the appearance of a fight for securing our borders.
Thomas Cooper