Current:Home > StocksSenate advances foreign aid package after falling short on border deal-LoTradeCoin
Senate advances foreign aid package after falling short on border deal
View Date:2024-12-23 20:47:49
Washington — The Senate voted Thursday to advance a foreign aid package after support for the legislation with a bipartisan border security deal fell short a day earlier amid Republican opposition. But the path forward for the bill remained unclear as the conference squabbled over how to proceed.
A procedural vote to move toward debate on the foreign aid bill was 67 in favor to 32 opposed. It required 60 votes to move forward.
The supplemental funding package would provide tens of billions of dollars in aid to U.S. allies, including Ukraine and Israel. Its consideration comes months after the White House initially made the supplemental funding request. At the time, Republicans insisted that the foreign aid package must be tied to enhanced border security measures. But after former President Donald Trump came out against the border security agreement reached by Senate negotiators, the party fell in line.
Still, Senate Republicans reached an impasse for hours on Wednesday night, as the chamber was set to vote on the motion to move forward with the foreign aid bill, as some members sought an opportunity to add border security provisions back into the legislation with amendments.
Even Sen. Lindsey Graham, a South Carolina defense hawk who's been a vocal advocate for Ukraine aid, voted against moving forward with the foreign aid bill on Thursday because he said "we have not done all we can to secure our southern border."
"We should not rush this process because Senators want to go on a break — it is too important," Graham said in a statement.
Senators are running up on a planned recess beginning at the end of the week. But some members have suggested that they should remain in session through the weekend and into the break to resolve the foreign aid issue. Additional votes, including on amendments, appear likely before the chamber can weigh in on final passage and send the measure to the House.
"If I were the majority leader, I'd keep us here until this is disposed of, period," Sen. Thom Tillis, a North Carolina Republican, told reporters.
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, who called the vote "a good first step," said afterward that "we are going to keep working on this bill until the job is done," noting that he hopes to reach an agreement with Republicans on amendments.
"This bill is essential for our national security, for the security of our friends in Ukraine, in Israel, for humanitarian aid for innocent civilians in Gaza and for Taiwan," Schumer said. "Failure to pass this bill would only embolden autocrats like Putin and Xi who want nothing more than America's decline."
Should the package make its way through the Senate, whether the House would even consider it remains to be seen. House Speaker Mike Johnson was noncommittal on Wednesday, saying that the lower chamber would wait to see how things shake out in the Senate.
"We're allowing the process to play out and we'll handle it as it is sent over," Johnson told reporters. "We spend a lot of time on the House side awaiting the Senate's action."
Alan He contributed reporting.
- In:
- United States Senate
Kaia Hubbard is a politics reporter for CBS News Digital based in Washington, D.C.
veryGood! (9535)
Related
- Five best fits for Alex Bregman: Will Astros homegrown star leave as free agent?
- AP Week in Pictures: Global | Oct. 13 - 19, 2023
- Marine found killed at Camp Lejeune, another in custody
- Hurricanes are now twice as likely to zip from minor to whopper than decades ago, study says
- Krispy Kreme is giving free dozens to early customers on World Kindness Day
- Gaza under Israeli siege: Bread lines, yellow water and nonstop explosions
- Arraignment delayed again for suspect charged with murdering Tupac Shakur
- USWNT is bringing youngsters in now to help with the future. Smart move.
- Ex-Duke star Kyle Singler draws concern from basketball world over cryptic Instagram post
- Peckish neighbors cry fowl but mom seeks legal exception for emotional support chickens
Ranking
- Isiah Pacheco injury updates: When will Chiefs RB return?
- Maryland police officer suspended after arrest on Capitol riot charges
- AP Week in Pictures: North America
- Bad Bunny announces 2024 Most Wanted Tour: Here's how to get tickets, when he's performing
- Diamond Sports Group will offer single-game pricing to stream NBA and NHL games starting next month
- Family of an American held hostage by Hamas urges leaders to do everything, and we mean everything, to bring them back
- Colombian president’s statements on Gaza jeopardize close military ties with Israel
- Ryan Reynolds and Blake Lively Have a Simple Favor to Ask Daughter James for Halloween
Recommendation
-
Will Aaron Rodgers retire? Jets QB tells reporters he plans to play in 2025
-
Haiti arrests one of the main suspects in the killing of President Jovenel Moïse
-
Lacrosse at the Olympics gives Native Americans a chance to see their sport shine
-
More than 300 arrested in US House protest calling for Israel-Hamas ceasefire
-
Amazon launches an online discount storefront to better compete with Shein and Temu
-
How Southern Charm Addressed the Tragic Death of Olivia Flowers' Brother
-
The Guardian fires longtime cartoonist after allegations of antisemitic imagery
-
Brooke Burke Sets the Record Straight on Those Derek Hough Affair Comments