The motion to proceed the package was defeated by a 49-50 vote on Wednesday
Senate Majority Leader Charles Schumer talks to reporters as he walks to his office in the US Capitol on February 07, 2024 in Washington, DC. © Chip Somodevilla / Getty Images / AFP
Republicans in the US Senate have blocked a bill that would have allowed for more funding for Ukraine on Wednesday.
Most GOP legislators voted against the bill, according to the Hill. Democrats Ed Markey, Bob Menendez, Alex Padilla and Elizabeth Warren, as well as Bernie Sanders – an independent from Vermont – joined the Republicans who refused to back the legislation.
The $118 billion package included $60 billion in military aid for Ukraine and $14 billion in military assistance for Israel.
The bill was touted by Biden as a compromise with the Republicans who have been refusing to greenlight more money for Ukraine unless the president agrees to a comprehensive border security and immigration reform.
Republican leader in the Senate, Mitch McConnell, warned before the vote that there was “no real chance” that the bill would pass, as the GOP has been arguing that Biden’s offer was not enough to effectively end “the border crisis.” Other Republicans insisted that a border bill should not be tied to Ukraine aid.
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