Feb. 8 (UPI) — The U.S. Senate is scheduled to vote on a procedural motion to move forward with a standalone foreign assistance package that includes funds for Israel, Ukraine and Taiwan, but lacks the border concessions Republicans had demanded.
Republicans in the chamber held a meeting Thursday morning on how to move forward with the vote.
The package includes $95.3 billion for Ukraine Taiwan and Israel but excludes border funding the Republicans had asked for.
The standalone measure will require 60 votes to pass and an initial vote on Wednesday only garnered support from 58 senators with only eight Republicans joining the chamber’s 50 Democrats to break a filibuster.
The prospect of lack of support means the vote could be delayed through the weekend amid plans for additional votes on amendments.
“I think if we get on it, we should use every lever we can to get the right amendment votes,” Sen. Kevin Cramer, R-N.D., said. “Either way it’s not going to be quick.”
The vote on the standalone funding package comes after the Senate voted 50-49 Wednesday night to defeat the bipartisan Emergency National Security Appropriations Act that provided $118 billion in U.S. border security and aid for Ukraine and Israel.
President Joe Biden and Senate leaders Sen. Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., and Sen. Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., praised the measure but Republicans turned on the idea after House Speaker Rep. Mike Johnson R-La., called it dead on arrival.
Former President Donald Trump has also called on Republicans to oppose a border funding bill to keep the immigration issues front and center during his campaign.
“Donald Trump doesn’t like that the Senate finally reached a bipartisan border deal,” said Senate Majority leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., said Wednesday “we will recess until tomorrow and give our Republican colleagues time to figure themselves out.”
