(DCWatchdog.com) – Senate Democrats are persisting in trying to revive a questionable bill put forth by President Joe Biden and rejected by the GOP majority in the House, which ties US military aid to Ukraine — which is defending against Putin’s Russia — to Israel, which is fighting off Islamist terrorists.
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) is poised to schedule a vote as soon as next week on President Biden’s emergency spending proposal, aimed at addressing conflicts in Israel and Ukraine.
The proposed $106 billion aid package, however, is unlikely to garner sufficient Republican backing to surpass the Senate’s 60-vote threshold required for legislative approval.
This lack of support casts doubt on the bill’s prospects, particularly in the Republican-dominated House, The Washington Times stresses in a report.
Despite these challenges, Schumer is resolute in his approach, ready to compel senators to publicly state their positions, unless bipartisan talks with Republicans regarding more stringent southern border policies reach a resolution soon.
“The biggest holdup to the national security supplement is an insistence by some Republicans — just some — on partisan border policy as a condition on Ukraine aid,” Schumer stated on Monday while addressing the Senate.
He highlighted the contentious nature of intertwining longstanding, highly partisan border issues with widely supported bipartisan priorities.
The comprehensive $106 billion legislation also encompasses funding for Taiwan, humanitarian aid for Gaza, and resources to manage migrants entering the US illegally.
Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) concurred on the necessity of addressing these issues collectively but emphasized that implementing stricter measures on illegal immigration was vital for securing Republican support.
“We don’t have the luxury of addressing glaring threats to our national security one at a time,” McConnell stated.
He blasted the Senate Democrats, suggesting they might jeopardize support for Israel unless an agreement is reached to address the border crisis, which he contends they have contributed to.
While the House has approved a standalone $14.3 billion aid bill for Israel, Schumer has withheld a Senate vote on it.
House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) expressed a more optimistic outlook regarding bipartisan collaboration.
Speaking at an event in Florida, he conveyed confidence in Congress passing the necessary legislation before the December holiday recess.
“I think all of that will come together in the coming days,” Johnson stated.
