Senate fails to advance Ukraine and Israel aid bill as GOP demands immigration limits [View all]

[orangecrush]

The Senate failed Wednesday to begin debate on President Joe Biden's national security package, with Republicans unifying to filibuster it due to a lack of immigration limits that they have demanded be a condition for winning their support.

The vote was 49-51, with Republicans voting against moving forward with the bill, along with Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., who caucuses with Democrats. Sanders has said he opposes giving aid to Israel unconditionally unless Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government changes its practice, which he has called “immoral” and “in violation of international law.”

The failed vote leaves U.S. aid to Ukraine and Israel on life support on Capitol Hill, even as Biden makes a dire plea for approving it to stop Russia from conquering Ukraine.

“This cannot wait. ... We cannot let [Russian President Vladimir] Putin win,” Biden said, accusing “extreme” Republicans of “playing chicken” with the package by demanding “partisan” border policies.

“Do they really want a solution?” he asked. “I am willing to make significant compromises on the border.”

https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/congress/senate-fails-advance-ukraine-israel-aid-bill-gop-demands-immigration-rcna128313