Republicans, unable to reach agreement on a border deal, opted to move ahead without those provisions.
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The Senate voted to advance a Ukraine and Israel aid bill — without any border provisions.Republicans had demanded border security measures, only to reject them as insufficiently harsh.17 GOP senators joined Democrats in support of moving forward on the legislation.
So much for that border security deal.
The Senate is now poised to move forward with a bill that would provide billions in aid to Ukraine and Israel, setting up an eventual clash with House Republicans.
On Wednesday, 17 Republican senators joined with Democrats to begin debate on a version of the foreign aid bill that no longer includes any of the border security provisions. Hours earlier, the bill failed after Republicans panned the bipartisan deal that they had originally demanded.
Among those voting to proceed on the bill was Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, whose support for Ukraine aid is increasingly at odds with the rest of the GOP.
The $95.34 billion package contains $60 billion in new aid to Ukraine, $14 billion for Israel, and $9.15 billion for humanitarian assistance, including for Gaza.
If Republican support stays at about the same level, it would represent a significant decline in support for Ukraine within the Senate GOP. In May 2022 — the last time the Senate voted on a bill primarily dealing with Ukraine aid — 39 GOP senators supported it.
The legislation could see further changes before a final vote, with Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer saying he expects an open amendment process. Several Democratic senators are hoping to impose new conditions on Israel aid amid the devastating war in Gaza, and Republicans may offer amendments of their own.
Many Republican lawmakers, particularly on the hard right, have been fervently opposed to further aid to Ukraine, arguing that it does not serve American interests and that the money would be better spent domestically in the United States.
Owing to that opposition, it’s unclear what path the bill would have through the House if it passes the Senate. House Speaker Mike Johnson has signaled some level of support for Ukraine aid since ascending to the top job, but he regularly voted against it as a rank-and-file lawmaker.
Republican Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia has threatened to call a vote on ousting Johnson from the speakership if he allows another vote on Ukraine aid.
Meanwhile, some progressive Democrats are likely to oppose the package if it does not include conditions on Israel.
Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont voted against debating the foreign aid bill on Wednesday, saying in a statement that he does not support allowing Israel to “continue its horrific war against the Palestinian people.”
Here are the 17 GOP senators who voted to advance the bill:
Shelley Moore Capito of West Virginia
Bill Cassidy of Louisiana
Susan Collins of Maine
John Cornyn of Texas
Joni Ernst of Iowa
Chuck Grassley of Iowa
John Kennedy of Lousiana
Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky
Jerry Moran of Kansas
Lisa Murkowski of Alaska
Mitt Romney of Utah
Mike Rounds of South Dakota
Dan Sullivan of Alaska
Thom Tillis of North Carolina
John Thune of South Dakota
Roger Wicker of Mississippi
Todd Young of Indiana