Legislation that would provide billions of dollars in new security assistance for Ukraine and Israel was blocked in the U.S. Senate on Wednesday as Republicans pressed their demands for tougher measures to control immigration at the U.S. border with Mexico.

The vote was 49 in favor to 51 against, meaning the $110.5 billion measure did not obtain the 60 votes needed in the 100-member Senate to pave the way to start debate.

The vote was along party lines, with every Senate Republican voting no along with Senator Bernie Sanders, an independent who generally votes with Democrats but had expressed concerns about funding Israel’s “current inhumane military strategy” against Palestinians.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer also voted “no” so that he could introduce a motion to reconsider the measure. After the vote, Democrat Schumer said it was a “serious moment that will have lasting consequences for the 21st century,” risking the decline of Western democracy.

Republicans said it was essential to make their case for tighter immigration policies and control of the southern border.

  • BombOmOm@lemmy.worldEnglish
    7·
    1 year ago

    Republicans would probably pass a clean Israel one and tack this junk onto the Ukraine one. The dumbest part is, a clean Ukraine bill and a clean Israel bill would both pass congress and the presidency with easy majorities. The fact we are having this issue at all is completely manufactured to try to shove through the dumb shit.

    Edit: My prediction is we are going to eventually get a combined Ukraine/Israel bill with some random fat.