Senate Republicans block Ukraine funding over border policy

Despite a warning from President Biden about the dire consequences in Ukraine should Congress not act, Senate Republicans on Wednesday, Dec. 6, blocked a $110 billion emergency spending bill that includes aid for Ukraine in its war with Russia, as well as funding for Israel and other international assistance, as GOP lawmakers seek changes to the U.S. border policy.

History’s going to judge harshly those who turn their back on freedom’s cause. We can’t let Putin win.

President Biden

With the vote 49-51, the package fell short of the Senate’s 60-vote threshold to move it forward. Every Senate Republican voted against the bill, along with Independent Sen. Bernie Sanders who is known to vote with Democrats but has concerns passing funding to Israel.

“I do not believe we should be appropriating over $10 billion for the right-wing extremist Netanyahu government to continue its current military approach,” Sanders said on Monday.

On Tuesday, Dec. 5, a group of Republicans walked out of a classified briefing between senators in an effort to discuss more funding for Ukraine. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy was slated to speak virtually to give an update on the war with Russia but canceled last minute for reasons not known to the public.

Speaking on the Senate floor after the vote, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., called it a sad day in the history of the Senate and the country. He added that if no action is taken, Vladimir Putin is going to walk right through Ukraine and then through Europe.

Sad night for the Senate and America:

Republicans blocked funding for Ukraine, Israel, humanitarian aid for civilians in Gaza, funding for the Indo-Pacific

If Republicans don't get serious about a national security package, Putin's going to walk right through Ukraine and Europe

— Chuck Schumer (@SenSchumer) December 6, 2023

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., who supports additional aid for Ukraine, had urged Republican senators to vote against the bill until there are “meaningful changes to the border.”

Earlier on Wednesday, Dec. 6, in a message to Congress, President Biden said he is willing to do “significantly more” on border security, but called out Republican senators, saying by not passing the bill, they are “willing to give Putin the greatest gift he could hope for.”

“History’s going to judge harshly those who turn their back on freedom’s cause. We can’t let Putin win,” Biden said.