While most Americans were asleep, the Senate passed a significant $95.3 billion aid package for Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan without allocating any funds for border security.
The final vote followed an all-night filibuster led by Senator Rand Paul (R-KY) and concluded shortly after 5 a.m.
Earlier, the Senate invoked cloture on Super Bowl Sunday with a 67-27 vote, emphasizing the urgency of the bill. Notably, 18 GOP members voted in favor of prioritizing foreign interests over American ones.
The package includes substantial amounts of money: $60 billion for Ukraine, $14 billion for Israel, and additional funds designated for humanitarian aid in Gaza and the West Bank.
It also aims to counter Chinese aggression in the Indo-Pacific region and support Taiwan’s defense.
During last night’s proceedings, the number of Republican senators supporting the bill increased to 22. However, two Democrats—Jeff Merkley and Peter Welch (D-VT)—voted against it.
Bernie Sanders (Socialist-VT) also rejected the bill due to his objection regarding funding for Israel’s defense against Hamas terrorists.
The final vote was 70-29. Here are the 22 GOPers who voted with the Democrats to put America last:
1. Mitch McConnell (KY)
2. John Thune (SD)
3. John Boozman (AR)
4. Shelley Moore Capito (WV)
5. Bill Cassidy (LA)
6. Susan Collins (ME)
7. John Cornyn (TX)
8. Kevin Cramer (ND)
9. Mike Crapo (ID)
10. Joni Ernst (IA)
11. Chuck Grassley (IA)
12. John Hoeven (ND)
13. John Kennedy (LA)
14. Jerry Moran (KS)
15. Lisa Murkowski (AK)
16. Jim Risch (ID)
17. Mitt Romney (UT)
18. Mike Rounds (SD)
19. Dan Sullivan (AK)
20. Thom Tillis (NC)
21. Roger Wicker (MS)
22. Todd Young (IN)
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) commended the bill, hailing it as a testament to American leadership and an unequivocal signal directed towards Russian President Vladimir Putin.
American leadership will not waver, not falter, not fail. Today, we make Vladimir Putin regret the day he questioned America’s resolve.
Today, we send a clear bipartisan message of resolve to our allies in NATO.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy crowed over the bill’s passage as well in a late-night X post:
https://twitter.com/ZelenskyyUa/status/1757369670460424603?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
The legislation will now be presented to the House, but it faces a grim outlook according to House GOP leadership.
However, there are discussions among Democrats about potentially utilizing a discharge petition to bypass GOP leadership and bring the America last bill directly to the floor for consideration.
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