The US president warned that lawmakers who did not pass the bill would bring Ukraine “to its knees” on the battlefield and would be a “gift” to President Vladimir Putin.
US Republican senators reject President Joe Biden’s appeal to block $106 billion in new funding for Ukraine and Israel amid anger over exclusion of immigration reform he had requested as part of his policy did.
Mr Biden had previously warned of dire consequences for Kiev and a “gift” to Russia’s Vladimir Putin if Congress failed to pass the bill. The bill includes about $61 billion to keep pressure on Russia during Ukraine’s freezing winter. Please help Israel and Gaza.
“They are going to literally bring Ukraine to its knees on the battlefield and damage our national security in the process,” Biden said.
All 49 members of the Senate’s Republican minority voted against the proposal, citing the government’s lack of action on the estimated 10,000 migrants who enter the United States from Mexico every day.
“Everyone has been very clear on this: we are standing firm. The time is now,” said James Lankford, the Republican chief negotiator on immigration and border issues. the senator spoke to FOX Business before the vote.
“It’s completely out of control at our southern border, and it’s time to fix this.”
Sen. Bernie Sanders, an independent, also voted against the bill because of its support for Israel, and it needed 60 votes to pass.
Biden earlier challenged Republicans on the policy, warning that a Russian victory in Ukraine would put Russia in a position to attack NATO allies and draw U.S. forces into war.
“Even if President Putin occupies Ukraine, it won’t stop there,” Biden said. Biden predicted that Putin would attack NATO allies, saying he would then “get what we didn’t ask for and what we don’t have today: American troops fighting Russian troops.” Deaf,” he said.
“We can’t let President Putin win,” he said.
Border security with Mexico remains a major obstacle to continued aid to Ukraine, even though the White House warned this week that funds earmarked for aid to Ukraine would run out by the end of the year.
Republicans in the House and Senate have supported rebuilding the border wall, former President Donald Trump’s signature policy, while deeming large numbers of immigrants ineligible for asylum and banning them from asylum seekers while their immigration cases are being heard. It is reinstating a controversial policy directing Americans to remain in Mexico. .
Biden said he was willing to make “significant” compromises on the border, but said Republicans could not get everything they wanted. He did not provide details.
“This has to be a negotiation,” he said.
ticking clock
Biden discussed Ukraine during a virtual summit with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and G7 leaders earlier Wednesday, but the U.S. and its allies have been locked in a 22-month-old war with Russia, which currently occupies about a fifth of the country. He said he was ready to continue supporting Ukraine in the war. territory of Ukraine.
President Zelenskiy warned the G7 that Russia expected Western unity to “collapse” and said Russia was increasing pressure on the front lines of the conflict.
The outlook for aid is uncertain after several Republicans walked out of a secret Ukraine briefing for senators on Tuesday, angry that border security was not mentioned. was obvious.
Zelenskiy was scheduled to address the meeting via video link, but canceled at the last minute.
Senators from both parties acknowledge the need to move quickly to secure a deal, with Congress only days left in session until the end of the year.
Republican negotiators were expected to send a new proposal to Democrats after the failed vote.
The president’s willingness to address the issue directly carries some political risk, with the president pushing to reject sweeping demands from conservatives on immigration that some Democrats and immigration advocates say is tantamount to closing the border. I was looking for
House Speaker Mike Johnson, who voted against aid to Kiev before taking office, has vowed not to agree to any more transfers without “transformative” changes to border policy.
“The American people deserve nothing better,” Johnson said in a statement.
The Louisiana Republican also declared that any aid to Israel must be offset by spending cuts, a policy opposed by Democrats, the White House and most Senate Republicans.
Despite disagreements over the new funding package, the US announced $175 million worth of aid to Kiev, a reduction from the amount of funding already approved.
This includes HIMARS rockets, artillery shells, missiles, and ammunition.