The Senate advanced a $95 billion foreign aid spending bill, with $60 billion allocated for Ukraine and $14 billion for Israel.
The bill faced opposition from some Republicans who want to focus on border security.
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer emphasized the bill’s importance for national security, while Republican Sen. Rand Paul plans to use procedural tools to slow down the process.
The debate over possible amendments is expected to be divisive, and the Senate is set to begin a two-week recess soon.
“This is a good first step. This bill is essential for our national security,” Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said.
Some Republicans expressed the likelihood of proposing border-related amendments.
“I think we should stay here as long as it takes. If that takes a week or a month, I’ll force them to stay here to discuss why they think the border of Ukraine is more important than the U.S. border,” Sen. Rand Paul said.
“I think if we get on it, we should use every lever we can to get the right amendment votes,” Sen. Kevin Cramer said. “Either way, it’s not going to be quick.”
“You got to bring it to a conclusion and then we as a conference will have to own the outcome if we choose to halt it,” Sen. Thom Tillis said. “I think Schumer would be right to keep us here until we dispose of it. These people say we need to cool off or take a few weeks off — I don’t get that.”
“Our border is a bigger national security threat to us, in the short term, than Ukraine. We have not even begun to do what we could do to secure the border. I’ve got ideas, I want people to vote on them,” Sen. Lindsey Graham said.
“I haven’t done all I can do. And when I have made a reasonable effort, when I’ve taken the ideas I’ve had today, and they’ve been flushed through the system, I will support Ukraine,” he said.
“There needs to be some adjustment to the border bill we had, and try to at least look like we’re fighting. We’re, I mean, we got to make a fight for the border,” Sen. Tommy Tuberville said.
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