Staff Reports
The Senate's unexpected denial of Chuck Schumer's (D-NY) audacious proposal for $111 billion in foreign expenditure has left numerous political analysts perplexed. A resounding sixty votes were required to advance the aid package for Taiwan, Israel, and Ukraine, following a 49-51 score that fell short. Unfortunately, despite the White House's request, the assistance did not materialize.
#BREAKING: Senate fails to advance Ukraine and Israel package over border deal disputeshttps://t.co/9V2GYeuVR4
— Washington Examiner (@dcexaminer) December 6, 2023
The ongoing impasse over a border agreement, which is critical for the bill's ratification, was the primary impetus for the bare, unadulterated power struggle. Never one to back down from a battle, Schumer scheduled the procedural vote on the border talks after negotiators from both parties were unable to reach an accord. Schumer lamented, "Tonight is a somber night in the history of the Senate and our nation," as he implored his Republican counterparts to become "serious."
Conversely, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) mobilized his colleagues against the progression of the foreign aid package in the absence of a border agreement. McConnell proclaimed, "I am advocating, and I hope all of our members vote no, on the motion to proceed to the shell [bill] in order to demonstrate, hopefully for the last time, that we insist on substantial border reforms."
The situation became tense when President Joe Biden made a connection between Ukraine aid and Israel funding following a particularly disruptive Hamas attack on October 7. This strategy was intended to woo more Republicans to the cause, as a growing number had become skeptic of Ukraine aid. Republicans retorted by associating assistance for Ukraine with, you guessed it, revisions to border security.
However, there is further drama! Border negotiations, which have centered on potential changes to federal asylum policy and the manner in which the Biden administration exercises the humanitarian parole authority, have been paralyzed for more than a week. The Republican Party has refuted Democratic allegations that they are unreasonable in their demands and is merely unwilling to negotiate solutions to reduce illicit border crossings.
Although the package initially required a substantial 60 votes to proceed to the floor, it can be passed with a simple majority of 51 votes. Senate majority rule is 51-49 for the Democrats, which means they require the support of the entire party and nine Republicans (cling to your hats) in order to pass the measure.
But Biden's request for funding should not be ruled out just yet! A unsuccessful vote, in the opinion of Sen. Chris Coons (D-De), would convey to numerous entities, including Ukraine, China, and Hamas, that the Senate is failing to make the necessary advancements to furnish allies with critical assistance. Ben Cardin (D-Maryland), chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, predicts that the defense package will be completed in the end, in the event that all else fails, because Democrats simply refuse to accept no for an answer.
Conversely, Mitch McConnell, a Republican leader who is arguably Ukraine's most important ally, has been in private discussions with allies regarding alternative strategies; after all, the political arena must continue.
