Republican senators BLOCK Biden's $110 billion package for Ukraine and Israel assistance over border security demands

Republican senators blocked President Biden's request for $110 billion in aid to Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan as the GOP demands stricter southern border security measures be included.

The 49-51 vote came Wednesday evening, and failed to reach the 60 votes needed to advance. The package included $61 billion to Ukraine in addition to assistance to Israel in its ongoing war with Hamas terrorists, humanitarian aid to Gaza and funds to support U.S. partners in the Indo-Pacific.

Biden said earlier in the day that it's up to Congress to fix the border, while insisting that he is open to 'compromises' in order to get Ukraine assistance over the finish line - as migrant crossings shatter records coming across the border. 

'Republicans in Congress are willing to give Putin the greatest gift he can hope for and abandon our global leadership,' the president warned. 

But new House Speaker Mike Johnson said after the failed Senate vote that the U.S.-Mexico border must be secured as part of any supplemental package. The House passed a $14.3 billion aid bill for Israel earlier this month, but Schumer has refused to put it on the floor.

'Now that Senator Schumer has demonstrated there is not enough support for his partisan approach, House Republicans reiterate what we have said all along: any supplemental national security legislation must secure our own border. The American people deserve nothing less,' he said. 

On Monday, the White House urged Congress approve more aid to Ukraine as money runs out after nearly two years of the U.S. essentially bankrolling Kyiv's ability to counter Russia's onslaughts.

In a blunt letter sent to Congress,  Budget Director Shalanda Young wrote: 'We are out of money to support Ukraine in this fight. This isn't a next year problem. The time to help a democratic Ukraine fight against Russian aggression is right now. It is time for Congress to act.'

Since Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022, President Joe Biden's administration has committed approximately $44 billion in security assistance, which includes munitions and other military equipment.

Republicans have criticized the extent to which the U.S. is sending money to Ukraine. Sen. Ron Johnson, a member of the Senate Homeland Security Committee, said it might be time to call it quits on sending more aid. 

Scroll down to read the letter

'We have no idea what the Biden Administration's endgame is in Ukraine,' Johnson told John Catsimatidis during a Cats Roundtable interview on Sunday. 'I have nothing but sympathy for the Ukrainian people. Nothing but contempt for Putin. But Putin is not going to lose this war. They've got the resources. It's not a fair fight.'

'Russia will not lose this war. You have to recognize that reality. I don't like that reality, but it's true. The only way this war ends is in a negotiated settlement,' he added.

Young wrote in her letter that 'without congressional action, by the end of the year we will run out of resources to procure more weapons and equipment for Ukraine and to provide equipment from U.S. military stocks.'

'There is no magical pot of funding available to meet this moment. We are out of money — and nearly out of time.'

According to the State Department, the billions sent to Ukraine are an effort to assist the Eastern European nation 'preserve its territorial integrity, secure its borders, and improve interoperability with NATO.'

The White House is increasingly worried about a Russian victory in Ukraine and says the extent of U.S. assistance cannot be replaced by other nations.

'Cutting off the flow of U.S. weapons and equipment will kneecap Ukraine on the battlefield, not only putting at risk the gains Ukraine has made, but increasing the likelihood of Russian military victories,' Young writes.

The letter was sent to House Speaker Mike Johnson, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell.

Democrats are on board for more support, and the top Republicans in both chambers receiving Young's letter seem to support the additional resources for Ukraine.

Speaker Joghnson twice voted previously against aid packages for Ukraine, but is now on record as a supporter, joining McConnell.

Monday's message employed the most alarming language yet by the Biden administration to urge Congress to approve more aid for Ukraine and the conflict with Russia nears the two-year mark in February.

Young says the letter is meant 'to express the acute urgency we face as Congress weighs whether we continue to fight for freedom across the globe or we ignore the lessons we have learned from history and let [Russian President Vladimir] Putin and autocracy prevail.'

In an attempt to persuade Republicans to keep funding the Ukraine war efforts, the White House is taking a different approach by pointing to the money pumped into red and purple states through the money approved for assistance to Kyiv.

The administration released a map last week showing how the states are benefiting from the aid packages to produce weapons for Ukraine – and pointing to the fact that around 60 percent of Ukraine spending has stayed within the U.S. borders.

'That has improved our own military readiness since DOD is buying new equipment to replace what we are sending Ukraine, jumpstarting and expanding production lines, and is supporting good-paying jobs in dozens of states across the country,' Young argued.

She pointed to the fact that nearly all 50 states benefit and noted that air defense systems for both Ukraine and Israel are built in Alabama, Texas and Georgia – historically red states (with the exception of Georgia swinging blue).

Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System (GMLRS), Young notes, are made in West Virginia, Arkansas and Texas, and javelins in Alabama – more red states.

In swing states of Pennsylvania, Wisconsin and Michigan, tactical vehicles are made and sent to Ukraine, she added.

'Every day that goes by while this war continues more Ukrainians die,' Sen. Johnson said on Sunday. 'More of Ukraine gets destroyed. The sooner they reach a negotiated settlement, the better — from my standpoint.'

'This war has to end. We're not going to like the result, but every day that goes by, we're going to like the result less.'