US Republicans defeat Senate border deal, but Ukraine, Israel aid may survive
- Republicans block US$118 billion package after coming under pressure from former president Donald Trump
- The Senate is expected to vote Thursday on a foreign-aid deal with the border provisions stripped out
Republicans in the US Senate on Wednesday defeated a bipartisan effort to bolster border security that had taken months to negotiate, but said they could still approve aid for Ukraine and Israel that had been tied up in the deal.
By a vote of 49-50, largely along party lines, the Senate failed to approve a US$118 billion bipartisan package that would tighten immigration laws, help Ukraine fight a Russian invasion and bolster Israel in its war with Hamas.
The measure needed 60 votes to advance in the chamber, which Democrats control by a 51-49 margin.
For months, Republicans have insisted that any additional aid to the two US allies must also address the high numbers of migrants arriving at the US-Mexico border – a top voter concern.
But many Republicans promptly rejected the package when it was released on Sunday, even though it contained many of their priorities.