US Senate advances $95bn Ukraine, "Israel" military aid Bill
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US lawmakers voted Tuesday to reject a standalone "Israel" aid bill denounced by critics as a "cynical" bid to thwart a cross-party border security and foreign assistance package that would include cash for Ukraine.
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Palestinians look at the bodies of relatives killed in the Israeli bombardment of the Gaza Strip, inside a morgue of Al Aqsa hospital, in Deir al Balah, Gaza Strip, Tuesday, Feb. 6, 2024 (AP Photo/Adel Hana)
The US Senate approved a $95 billion supplemental military aid package for "Israel," Ukraine, and Taiwan on Thursday, after members rejected a version of the bill that included border and immigration policy changes.
Senators voted 67-32 in favor of invoking cloture on a motion to move the measure to the legislative vehicle, with 60 votes necessary to advance it.
US lawmakers voted Tuesday to reject a standalone "Israel" aid bill denounced by critics as a "cynical" bid to thwart a cross-party border security and foreign assistance package that would include cash for Ukraine.
Republicans in the House of Representatives scheduled the vote after the Democratic-led Senate released a bipartisan bill Sunday linking billions of dollars for the Israeli occupation entity and Ukraine with some of the strictest immigration curbs in decades.
On Wednesday, the Senate voted down a bigger $118 billion supplemental funding plan that covered border and immigration policies as well as international aid and national security funds.
The $95 billion version approved on Thursday contains over $60 billion for Ukraine and $14 billion for "Israel."
US Senator Rand Paul voted against moving the package, urging legislators to prioritize domestic security first in a post on X.
“It’s a terrible idea to put forward and pass a bill that tries to secure other countries’ borders before we secure our own,” Paul posted Thursday, highlighting that the bill shows Americans “their elected officials don’t care about them.”
The bill is flawed from top to bottom. No conservatives in the Senate will vote for this. No conservatives in the House are going to vote for it...https://t.co/Ba2UrcZLzp
— Senator Rand Paul (@SenRandPaul) February 7, 2024
US Senator Lindsey Graham similarly voted against moving the measure, citing border security concerns, but maintained his support for Ukraine and "Israel" in a statement to X, urging the Senate not to expedite the legislative process.
House Speaker Mike Johnson stated Wednesday that House Republicans will insist on starting national security with border protection.
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said he wants to achieve an agreement with Republicans on an amendment procedure for the measure. Senators will continue working on the measure until the "job is done," Schumer stated after the bill was passed.
