Senate fails to pass bill on border security and foreign aid package for Ukraine and Israel

Washington, USA (Svidomi) — A procedural vote to approve a bipartisan border security agreement and foreign aid package for Ukraine and Israel has failed, CNN reports.

The bill received 49 votes to 50. At least 60 votes were needed to pass the bill.

Introduced on February 5, the proposed bill provided $60.06 billion in support for Ukraine, $14.1 billion for Israel, and $20.2 billion for border security.

US President Joe Biden criticised Republicans over the failed vote. The US president said he "never thought I'd see something like we are seeing now" on Capitol Hill.

Biden accused his opponent in the upcoming election, former President Donald Trump, of calling and "threatening retaliation" against lawmakers who would support the bill.

Earlier, Joe Biden stated that if the US "does not stop Putin's appetite for power and control in Ukraine, he won’t limit himself to just Ukraine, and the costs for America will rise".

After the rejection of the Grand Bargain, Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer initiated a vote to cancel the decision to end the debate.

Senate Committee on Appropriations Chairwoman Patty Murray unveiled a bill that provides only for US international assistance to Ukraine, Israel, and the Indo-Pacific.

The Senate upheld a procedural decision to reconsider the vote. The bill will be reconsidered at approximately 12 pm (Washington time) on February 8.

"The Ukrainian Embassy in the United States continues advocating for the support package. This week will break all records regarding the number of phone calls with Congress," said Oksana Markarova, Ambassador of Ukraine to the United States.

It will be recalled that House Speaker Mike Johnson, a Republican, criticised the Senate for the combined aid and border security package.