Senate Republicans block bipartisan border package, scuttling deal they had demanded from Democrats
The U.S. Capitol is seen at sunrise, Wednesday, Feb. 7, 2024, in Washington. A Senate deal on border enforcement measures and Ukraine aid has suffered swift and total collapse. Republicans withdrew support despite President Joe Biden urging Congress to “show some spine” and stand up to Donald Trump. But Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell says that a deal to pair border policy changes with $60 billion in wartime aid for Ukraine is dead. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana)
WASHINGTON (AP) — Senate Republicans blocked a bipartisan border package Wednesday, scuttling months of negotiations with Democrats on legislation intended to cut back record numbers of illegal border crossings.
Many Republicans said the election-year compromise wasn't enough, even as supporters of the bill insisted it was the best possible in divided government.
The 49-50 vote, far short of the 60 ayes needed to take up the bill, came after most Republicans said they would vote against the legislation, which also includes $60 billion in wartime aid to Ukraine and $14 billion for Israel and was backed by President Joe Biden. GOP lawmakers had insisted that the money for conflicts abroad be paired with help for the U.S. border.
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