An emergency spending bill to provide billions of dollars in new security aid to Ukraine and Israel was blocked in the US Senate on Wednesday as Republicans demanded tougher immigration control measures at the US border with Mexico.
The total was 49 votes to 51, and the $110,5 billion measure needed 60 votes in the 100-member Senate to open the way for debate, threatening the efforts of United States President Joseph Biden to provide new aid before the end of 2023.
The BBC in Serbian states that the decision calls into question future aid to Ukraine and brings legislators back to the negotiating table, with very little time for discussion as only a few days remain until the start of the winter break in the Congress session.
The vote was along party lines, with every Republican in the Senate voting against along with independent Sen. Bernie Sanders, who votes mostly with Democrats but expressed concern about funding Israel's "current inhumane military strategy" against the Palestinians.
"We should not be giving more than $10 billion to the right-wing extremist government of Benjamin Netanyahu to continue their current military approach," Sanders said, referring to the Israeli military's ongoing offensive in the Gaza Strip, which has so far killed more than 16.000 Palestinian civilians.
"What the Netanyahu government is doing is immoral, it's a violation of international law, and America should not be complicit in it," said Sanders, a longtime critic of Netanyahu.
The bill would provide about $50 billion in new security aid to Ukraine, as well as humanitarian and economic aid money for the government in Kiev, plus $14 billion for Israel as it battles Hamas in Gaza.
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, a Democrat, also voted against it so he could reintroduce the measure in the future, according to Reuters.
After the vote, Schumer pointed to the risks if Ukraine falls, saying it is a "serious moment that will have lasting consequences for the 21st century," risking the fall of Western democracy.
Republicans have said it is essential to push for stricter immigration policies and control of the southern border.
"Today's vote is what is needed for the Democratic leader to recognize that Senate Republicans mean what we are saying," Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell said in a speech earlier Wednesday. "Then let's vote. And then let's finally start meeting America's national security priorities, including here at home."
Even if the bill passes the Senate, it would still need to be approved in the Republican-controlled House of Representatives, where dozens of Republicans voted against aid to Ukraine, including President Mike Johnson.
Congressional Republicans and Democrats have been debating for months how to respond to Biden's request for billions of dollars in funding for Ukraine as it battles Russian invaders, for Israel after the October 7 attack by Islamist militants Hamas, for US interests in the Indo-Pacific, and for international humanitarian aid. help.
Earlier on Wednesday, US President Joseph Biden said he was "willing to make significant compromises" on immigration policy and the border with Mexico in order to pass the aid bill.
"Republicans in Congress are willing to give Putin the biggest gift he could hope for," Biden added.
On Wednesday, the Biden administration announced $175 million in new security assistance to Ukraine from already approved funds.
The package includes ammunition - missiles and artillery shells - as well as "equipment for the protection of critical national infrastructure", according to a statement from the US Department of Defense.
Concerns about the future of the $110 billion package grew on Tuesday after a secret briefing for lawmakers aimed at securing support for new funding failed spectacularly.
Senators shouted at each other, and at least a dozen Republicans walked out.
Before that, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky abruptly canceled an online briefing with senators.
Something came up at the last minute, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said on Tuesday, without giving further details of the sudden cancellation of Zelenski's address.
Although Democrats have already approved a Republican request to strengthen border security with Mexico, Republican demands for additional changes to asylum rules have complicated negotiations with Democrats.
While Republicans largely support aid to Ukraine, some are trying to use the issue as a way to address growing concerns over the US's southern border.
Ahead of the failed vote, Schumer made an emotional plea to his Senate colleagues, telling them the vote was an important "moment in history" and that they should "hurry to stand up for democracy" in Ukraine.
"You can be sure that Vladimir Putin is watching all this carefully," he said.
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