The Senate overwhelmingly voted Thursday to begin work on a $95 billion spending bill aimed at aid to Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan, a day after formally repealing a blockbuster bill that included $20 billion in border security spending. .
In a 67-31 vote, 17 Republicans voted “yes,” while only Sen. Bernie Sanders (R-Vermont) voted “no” from the Democratic conference.
A final vote on the bill is not expected until next week, as senators begin a lengthy negotiation process on which amendments to vote on as part of the final version.
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., said Thursday’s vote was a “good first step.”
“If this bill is not passed, it will only embolden the next dictator.” [Russian President Vladimir] with President Putin [Chinese President] Xi [Jinping] They want nothing but the decline of America,” the Brooklyn Democrat said from the floor.
“We will continue to work on this bill until the job is done,” Schumer added.
Republicans have been demanding for months that the foreign aid bill include comprehensive reforms to strengthen security at the southern border.
Senate negotiators took about four months to hastily finalize the $118 billion deal, but when the document was released Sunday night, former President Donald Trump and House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La. ) quickly voiced opposition, and House Republican leadership warned. Taking measures would be a “waste of time,” he said.
An additional bill containing border security provisions failed to pass a 60-vote legislative filibuster Wednesday, forcing the Senate to start over with a smaller bill.
Schumer said Thursday he would allow Republicans to propose amendments to the $95 billion bill, but did not say whether immigration issues would be considered.
Johnson said he would only consider separate aid bills for Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan, not large additional spending bills. But his influence could be curtailed after the House failed to approve a standalone $17.6 billion aid bill for Israel earlier this week.
Republican senators who supported Thursday’s supplement were Shelley Moore Capito of West Virginia, Bill Cassidy of Louisiana, Susan Collins of Maine, John Cornyn of Texas, and Joni Ernst and Chuck John Cornyn of Iowa. Grassley, Kentucky Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, Kansas’ Jerry Moran, and Lisa. Murkowski of Alaska, Mitt Romney of Utah, Mike Rounds of South Dakota, Dan Sullivan of Alaska, John Thune of South Dakota, Roger Wicker of Mississippi, and Todd Young of Indiana.
Sen. Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyo.) did not vote.
Prominent foreign policy hawks such as Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) and Tom Cotton (R-Ark.) voted against moving forward with the measure, insisting on including border security provisions. Ta.
Sen. James Lankford (R-Okla.), who helped negotiate the border deal with Republicans, also voted against the standalone bill, while fellow negotiators Kyrsten Sinema (D-Ariz.) and Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) voted for the stand-alone bill.
