US Senate blocks border bill that would combine aid to Ukraine

The US Senate blocked a $118 billion border and national security bill that included $60 billion in aid to Ukraine.

The bill was voted on in the Senate on February 7, receiving 49 votes in favor and 51 against. The US Senate is currently controlled by Democrats, but some Democratic senators voted against the bill that their leaders have been negotiating for months.

Republicans have repeatedly said they will not support an aid package for US allies if the migrant crisis at the border is not resolved. Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson has also said the House will not support the bill.

"It's a shame for the US Senate," Democratic Senator Debbie Stabenow said, adding that delaying the vote would be "a gift to Russian President Vladimir Putin."

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer speaks to reporters after the budget bill was blocked on February 7. Photo: AP

In an angry speech before the vote, Republican Senator James Lankford, the party's lead negotiator on the bill, said he was disappointed that some colleagues had decided not to try to resolve the border crisis because it was a presidential election year.

Lankford voted in favor, while Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell voted against.

The bill includes sweeping changes to the nation's asylum system and a mechanism to effectively close the border to most migrants when crossings are particularly high. Refugee rights groups, including Amnesty International USA, have criticized the bill as containing "the most extreme anti-immigration proposals this country has seen in 100 years."

But a growing number of Republicans say the bill is still too soft. Johnson and Republican leaders outlined their grievances in a joint statement, saying the bill “fails” to secure the border and will encourage more illegal immigration.

Senate Republicans have long demanded border security as a condition of their support for aid to Ukraine. However, former President Donald Trump, who is running for re-election, has accused the Biden administration of failing to address the border issue and urged Republicans to block the bill.

"We need separate immigration and border legislation. It should not be tied to foreign aid in any way!" Trump told Republicans on February 5. Trump has made border control a central issue in his White House bid.

President Joe Biden said the deal was falling apart because Trump was trying to "weaponize" the border crisis. He also called on Republican lawmakers to "show toughness."

Former President Trump remains influential among Republicans, who control the House of Representatives. He is also the leading Republican candidate for the US presidential election in November. Ukraine and many Western allies fear that if elected, Mr. Trump would completely end US support for Kiev.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said he would quickly move to a second vote on a package of more than $60 billion in aid to Ukraine and $14 billion to Israel without any border security provisions, forcing Republicans to make a choice.

Huyen Le (According to Washington Post , AFP )

Source link