US-Mexico border and Ukraine aid deal close to failure in Senate
US-Mexico border and Ukraine aid deal close to failure in Senate (Photo: Getty Images)
A bipartisan deal to implement new border restrictions with Mexico and unlock military aid to Ukraine is on the verge of collapsing in the US Senate, where Republican support has waned in the face of opposition from former President Donald Trump's candidate, according to Bloomberg.
Republican senators have stated that the scheduled vote on this measure for Wednesday was premature, delaying the provision of aid to Ukraine, which desperately needs it, for at least several weeks and leaving the situation at the border unresolved, worsening.
The $118.3 billion deal resulted from months of closed-door negotiations in the Senate, but its prospects began to unravel shortly after negotiators announced details late Sunday. Less than 24 hours later, Republicans - even those open to the deal - rejected it.
"I think the proposal is dead," said Senator Roger Wicker of Mississippi, the top Republican on the Armed Services Committee and a strong supporter of Ukraine aid.
James Lankford, a key Republican in the negotiations, said he expects the procedural vote scheduled for Wednesday to fail because senators say they want more time to consider and amend the bill. He called the bill "a work in progress" and joked that he's not ready to bury it yet.
US assistance to Ukraine
Previously, the US Senate introduced a new bill on assistance to Ukraine. It combines funding for aid to Ukraine, Israel, and strengthening the southern US border.
By the way, Biden sharply criticized the bill on aid to Israel without Ukraine.
Also, US President Joe Biden proposed to Congress to allocate $106 billion in aid to Ukraine and Israel. But the issue remains unresolved.
