US Senate blocks bipartisan border security bill

By Diyar Guldogan

WASHINGTON (AA) - The US Senate blocked a bipartisan bill Wednesday combining border measures and foreign aid to Israel and Ukraine.

A motion to proceed on the package failed by a vote of 49-50, with most Republicans voting against it. At least 60 votes were needed for it to move forward.

Republican Senators Susan Collins, Lisa Murkowski, James Lankford and Mitt Romney voted to advance the measure, while Democratic Senators Ed Markey, Bob Menendez, Alex Padilla and Elizabeth Warren voted no.

Senator Bernie Sanders also voted no, citing opposition to $10 billion in military aid to Israel to continue "its horrific war" against the Palestinian people.

"That is unconscionable. I will be voting NO," he said.

Meanwhile, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said he intends to pursue "Plan B" to move aid to Ukraine and Israel without including the border deal.

The bipartisan $118 billion deal was announced by lawmakers on Sunday. It includes funding to ramp up security along the US-Mexico border and fund other national security priorities for President Joe Biden, including military aid for Ukraine and Israel.