Legislation that would provide billions of dollars in new security assistance for Ukraine and Israel was blocked in the U.S. Senate on Wednesday as Republicans pressed their demands for tougher measures to control immigration at the U.S. border with Mexico.

The vote was 49 in favor to 51 against, meaning the $110.5 billion measure did not obtain the 60 votes needed in the 100-member Senate to pave the way to start debate.

The vote was along party lines, with every Senate Republican voting no along with Senator Bernie Sanders, an independent who generally votes with Democrats but had expressed concerns about funding Israel’s “current inhumane military strategy” against Palestinians.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer also voted “no” so that he could introduce a motion to reconsider the measure. After the vote, Democrat Schumer said it was a “serious moment that will have lasting consequences for the 21st century,” risking the decline of Western democracy.

Republicans said it was essential to make their case for tighter immigration policies and control of the southern border.

  • doingthestuff@lemmy.world
    24·
    11 months ago

    Fuck Russia but there are a lot of people in the US tired of funding the world police. Other countries are always dunking on Americans for not getting healthcare or decent infrastructure for our tax dollars, all we get is more military spending. I don’t even have buses or bike lanes and I’m in a major US city. My wife runs a school kitchen and she gets to collect lunch debt. We funded free meals for kids after COVID for a year and it cost $10b. If we’re devaluing our dollars further by deficit spending, I want money spent domestically.

    I want to see Europe fund this and fight this 100% on their own, this started over Ukraine wanting to be more European anyway. If we give aid I want it to be a loan that is repaid to the American people. Joe complaining about this when his family got millions from the Ukraine is a little suspect as well.

    Europe, get off your ass, open your fucking wallets and take care of this Russian menace. American people don’t have more to give right now and our corporations sure as hell aren’t paying their fair share.