Senate Rejects National Security and Border Reform Package, Threatening Aid for Ukraine and Israel
In a surprising turn of events, the Senate voted against a comprehensive national security and border reform package on Wednesday, jeopardizing crucial aid for Ukraine and Israel. The bill, which included over $60 billion in assistance for Ukraine to combat a Russian invasion, and $14 billion for Israel in its conflict with Gaza, has long been a top priority for President Biden’s administration. However, most Senate Republicans joined forces with a few Democrats to reject the legislation that was negotiated by their own party leaders.
Despite the setback, senators will proceed with another vote on the national security aid, which also encompasses billions of dollars for Indo-Pacific allies and $10 billion in humanitarian aid for Gaza, Ukraine, and other nations. Initially, this legislation seemed to be gaining support to overcome procedural obstacles. However, Republican senators emerged from a meeting later in the day with less optimism about its future.
The rejection of the package followed a heated debate within the Republican conference over whether to proceed with the original supplemental bill or delay the vote until more information about the amendment process is available. Senate Majority Leader Charles E. Schumer expressed hope that a consensus could be reached, stating, “We just hope they can come to a yes on something.”
This vote marks an unusual week for the Senate, as Republicans who had previously demanded action on the U.S. border crisis before providing aid to American allies ultimately opposed the deal they had advocated for. Former President Donald Trump, who has made border security a central campaign issue, criticized and mischaracterized the bill, asserting that only his reelection as president could fix the border situation. Additionally, House Speaker Mike Johnson made it clear that the bill would not receive a vote in the House.
The rejection of the package drew sharp criticism from Democratic Senator Debbie Stabenow, who described the situation as “outrageous” and “embarrassing” for the United States Senate. Stabenow argued that delaying the vote until after the Senate’s two-week recess would be a “gift to Vladimir Putin.” Meanwhile, Republican Senator James Lankford, the chief GOP negotiator of the bill, expressed disappointment in his colleagues who chose not to address the border crisis simply because it is a presidential election year. Lankford also revealed that he had been threatened by a “popular commentator” who vowed to destroy him if he pursued a bill to solve the border crisis during this election year.
The $118 billion bill includes significant changes to the nation’s asylum system and a mechanism to effectively limit border crossings during periods of high migration. While it received support from the conservative union for Border Patrol officers, it faced criticism from refugee rights groups such as Amnesty International USA, who argued that it contained “the most extreme anti-immigrant proposals this country has seen in 100 years.” However, an increasing number of Republicans in Congress viewed the legislation as too lenient.
House Speaker Mike Johnson and his leadership team initially demanded that House-approved border reforms be added to the bill before providing funding for Ukraine. In a joint statement, they expressed their grievances, claiming that the legislation “fails” to secure the border and would encourage more illegal immigration. They firmly stated that any consideration of the Senate bill in its current form would be a waste of time and urged the Senate to reject it. Johnson did not disclose how he would handle the supplemental bill without the border provisions.
Former President Trump also criticized the lead negotiator of the bill, Senator Lankford, warning that it could have negative consequences for Lankford’s political career. Despite McConnell’s staff’s involvement in negotiating the bill, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell struggled to gather support within his conference due to the issue’s unpopularity among the Republican base. Additionally, Johnson’s insistence on strict border reforms attached to the bill further complicated the situation.
Next week, several Senate Republicans are scheduled to attend the Munich Security Conference, where Ukraine’s fate will be a major topic of discussion. Senator Thom Tillis and others have already expressed their intention to vote in favor of the original national security supplemental after the border bill fails. Senator Kevin Cramer believes that there is significant support for Ukraine funding in the Senate.
The rejection of the national security and border reform package has created uncertainty and tension within the Senate. As lawmakers regroup and reassess their strategies, the fate of critical aid for Ukraine and Israel remains uncertain.
