WASHINGTON (NewsNation) — The Senate may vote on a standalone bill for foreign aid as soon as Wednesday that does not include border security provisions, a source told NewsNation.
The chamber is prepared to move forward with a decision on the bipartisan border and national security bill, even as the legislation is likely to fail due to increased resistance among Republicans.
A procedural vote in the Senate is expected Wednesday, though it could be postponed to Thursday to allow lawmakers additional time to review the bill. However, even this extension might prove futile.
If it fails, Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., may put the bill on the floor again without the border provisions to force Republicans to vote on a package that includes aid to Israel, Ukraine and Pacific allies, according to a Senate Democratic aid.
Republicans, steadfast in their demand for substantial changes to border security, remain unsatisfied with the proposal announced Sunday. This bill calls for tougher asylum standards and a border shutdown trigger mechanism, yet Republicans assert these measures fall short of their expectations.
“It was supposed to have a border security set of provisions in it,” said House Speaker Mike Johnson. “That’s not what we got. We got a supplemental funding proposal with immigration provisions. It’s not a border security bill. It doesn’t do anything of the sort.”
As the fate of this bill hangs in uncertainty, American aid for Ukraine is left in jeopardy. With dwindling ammunition and personnel, Ukraine’s forces face dire circumstances as the U.S. is unable to send weapon shipments.
President Joe Biden has shifted focus to former President Donald Trump who has called the bill “horrendous” and urged Republicans to vote against it.
“For the last 24 hours he’s done nothing, I’m told, but reach out to Republicans in the House and the Senate and threaten them and try to intimidate them to vote against this proposal. It looks like they’re caving. Frankly, they owe it to the American people to show some spine and do what they know to be right,” Biden said.
Progress on comprehensive border legislation may be stalled until after the election.
Ukraine aid faces significant hurdles in the House due to increasing opposition from Republicans. Additionally, the House failed to pass a bill Tuesday night that would’ve allocated $17 billion in aid for Israel.
