Senate Rejects Border Deal, Potential Revival of Ukraine and Israel Aid

Republicans in the U.S. Senate on Wednesday defeated a bipartisan effort to strengthen border security that had been under negotiation for months. They indicated, however, that they may still approve aid for Ukraine and Israel, which had been part of the failed package.

The Senate voted 49-50 against a $118 billion bipartisan package aimed at tightening immigration laws, aiding Ukraine against a Russian invasion, and supporting Israel in its conflict with Hamas. The package needed 60 votes to advance in the Senate, where Democrats hold a 51-49 majority.

For several months, Republicans have insisted that any additional aid for Ukraine and Israel must also address the high numbers of migrants arriving at the U.S-Mexico border, a key concern for many voters.

Despite the package containing many of their priorities, many Republicans rejected it when it was released on Sunday. Former President Donald Trump has urged Republicans to reject any compromise as part of his campaign against Democratic President Joe Biden. The Biden campaign has accused Trump of pressuring congressional allies to reject the package to use the border crisis as a way to criticize Biden during the election. However, lawmakers aligned with the former president have denied being told how to vote and instead criticized the specifics of the legislation.

The defeat of the bipartisan package still leaves open the possibility that Congress could provide aid to U.S. allies. The Senate was expected to vote on a $96 billion package that removes the immigration provisions but retains the foreign aid.

Even if the package passes the Senate, its prospects in the House of Representatives are uncertain, as Republican lawmakers in the House have been hesitant to provide further support for Ukraine.

Biden has blamed Trump for the collapse of the deal, while House Speaker Mike Johnson has announced plans for another vote to impeach Biden’s top border official, Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas.

“It was a mess what happened here, but we’re cleaning it up,” Johnson told reporters on Wednesday.