Senate Votes Down $118 Billion Military Aid and Border Bill

Schumer is now trying to push through a $95 billion bill that just includes the military aid, but it's unclear if it will have enough support

The Senate on Wednesday voted down the $118 billion military and border bill as Republican leadership came out against the legislation before the vote.

The bill needed 60 votes to pass and failed in a vote of 49-50. Only four Republicans voted in favor of the legislation, and only five Democrats voted against it.

Senate Democrats are furious with Republicans since the legislation took months to negotiate. Republicans now say the bill would not do enough to crack down on the border and are looking for more concessions on migrant policy.

House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) has said the bill would be dead on arrival once it reached his chamber. Democrats are blaming former President Trump for the Republican opposition since he came out strongly against the border deal.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) is looking to push through a $95 billion bill that strips out the border provisions and just includes the military aid. The bill includes about $60 billion for the Ukraine proxy war, $14 billion for the Israeli slaughter in Gaza, and $4.8 billion for Taiwan and other spending in the Asia Pacific.

A vote is scheduled for Thursday, but it’s unclear if Schumer will get enough Republicans to support the bill. A stand-alone Israel military aid bill failed in the House on Tuesday as it was under threat of a White House veto since President Biden wants the full $118 billion legislation to go through.

Author: Dave DeCamp

Dave DeCamp is the news editor of Antiwar.com, follow him on Twitter @decampdave.