A small group of Republican senators sided with nearly all Democrats early Tuesday to move forward with a foreign aid package that does not include border security despite objections from House GOP members.
An earlier attempt to pass legislation to provide aid to Israel, Ukraine, and other countries was unsuccessful after Republicans were unable to secure funding and policy agreements to strengthen the border, as reported by The Dallas Express. The current bill is a stand-alone option that is likely to meet with significant opposition, according to The Post Millennial.
“House Republicans were crystal clear from the very beginning of discussions that any so-called national security supplemental legislation must recognize that national security begins at our own border. The House acted ten months ago to help enact transformative policy change by passing the Secure Our Border Act, and since then, including today, the Senate has failed to meet the moment,” a statement from House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) read.
Twenty-two Republicans voted for the bill, which passed out of the Senate 70-29. Two Democrats and Independent Bernie Sanders (I-VT) voted with the remainder of Republicans against the bill. Sen. Peter Welch (D-VT) said his vote against the bill was in response to funding for Israel, which is waging a war against Hamas in Gaza, per Townhall.
The most significant chunk of spending in the foreign aid bill is earmarked to aid Ukraine as it continues to fight against Russia: $60 billion to provide continued military and financial support.
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) said that he believes the bill will receive bipartisan House support if brought to the floor, per CNN.
“It’s been years, perhaps decades, since the Senate passed a bill that so greatly impacts not just our national security, not just the security of our allies, but the security of western democracy,” Schumer said.
The decision to scrap funding for border security continues to be an obstacle for any foreign aid bill. Republicans have stood firm on rejecting any compromise that doesn’t create real change to secure the border.
Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) released a statement explaining why he voted against the bill shortly after its passage.
“It is important that Israel eradicates Hamas, that Taiwan remains resilient against China’s threats, and that Ukraine defeats Russia. I have consistently supported providing aid to ensure these allies are strong.”
“However, we must defend our nation first. I will vote to support aid to our allies, but only after America’s border is secured. No state bears the brunt of this burden more heavily than Texas, which is on the front lines of a literal invasion of millions upon millions of illegal aliens,” his statement read.
Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX) was one of the Republicans to vote in favor of the bill. Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton immediately criticized the senator over his decision to support it.
“Unbelievable that [Cornyn] would stay up all night to defend other countries borders, but not America,” Paxton posted on X.
Cornyn responded, “Ken, your criminal defense lawyers are calling to suggest you spend less time pushing Russian propaganda and more time defending longstanding felony charges against you in Houston, as well as ongoing federal grand jury proceedings in San Antonio that will probably result in further criminal charges.”
The bill’s fate in the House is uncertain, but it will likely face an uphill battle as Republicans dig in their heels over border policy.
