US Senate fails to advance supplemental bill failing Ukraine, 'Israel'
3 Min Read
Domestic discord and the US escalation of regional tensions have left the country overstretched and unable to meet the financial and military demands of its key allies.
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(L-R) US Senators Todd Young, Martin Heinrich, Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, and Mike Rounds speak to the press at the White House in Washington, DC, United States, on October 31, 2023. (AFP)
The United States Senate faced a deadlock on Wednesday as lawmakers failed to advance a crucial supplemental funding bill worth over $100 billion.
The legislative impasse stems from an ongoing clash between Republican and Democrat lawmakers over the inclusion of "border security measures" in the proposed legislation.
The bill, led by Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and endorsed by the White House, encountered a significant setback as senators rejected a crucial procedural motion to initiate debate. The measure needed a minimum of 60 votes to move forward, which it failed to achieve.
The urgency surrounding the supplemental funding bill is underlined by the US' full-fledged involvement in global conflicts, including that of Ukraine. Democrats have been seeking swifter action to prevent a funding shortfall that could be detrimental to US military aid to Ukraine.
Read more: Big consequences if US 'pulls the plug' on Ukraine, Kirby says
However, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell and House Speaker Mike Johnson, both influential figures in the Republican camp, have staunchly insisted on the inclusion of increased "border security measures" as a condition for their Republican party's support.
The bill also includes financial aid to "Israel" and Taiwan, where the Biden administration looks to maintain US interests. $10.1 billion was allocated to aid "Israel", which Democrat Senator Bernie Sanders considered to be a "blank check" to Benjamin Netanyahu's "right-wing extremist" government.
Biden says cutting off aid to Ukraine is crazy
It is worth mentioning that the US military supplies have come under immense pressure, as Washington backs Israeli aggression on the Gaza Strip. Although "Israel" has depended on a variety of US-made air-dropped bombs, which Ukraine is incapable of utilizing, the occupation has run through supplies of surface-to-air missiles and 155 mm artillery shells, both of which have been essential for the operations of the Ukrainian Armed Forces.
Moreover, the US involvement in global conflicts, especially in Ukraine, has not garnered complete bipartisan support, as some lawmakers oppose providing Ukraine with unconditional funding.
Earlier on Wednesday, during a classified briefing on Ukraine, a group of Republican senators left the session amid a dispute over the border crisis and as a result of the Ukrainian President unexpectedly canceling a videolink appearance.
In that briefing, Joe Biden expressed his frustration at the lack of support for Ukraine, saying, "It's absolutely crazy and just wrong" and against US interests. This was followed by criticism from Democrats who considered the briefing was "hijacked" by Republicans through their motions to discuss issues at the border.
Read more: Biden decries failure to support Ukraine, says it's 'absolutely crazy'
