Republican Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky is using Senate rules to slow down the passage of a $95.3 billion foreign aid bill that includes support for Ukraine and Israel. Despite clearing a critical 60-vote threshold to advance the bill, the Senate is expected to work through the weekend with a final vote next week. On Thursday, Paul told CNN’s Manu Raju that he believes the Senate should stay for as long as it takes for them to discuss why they think the border of Ukraine is more important than the US border.
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer is pushing for a time agreement to speed up the passage of the foreign aid bill, but Republicans are now divided over the package. The bill includes provisions of billions of dollars in support for Ukraine, security assistance for Israel, humanitarian assistance for civilians in Gaza, the West Bank, and Ukraine, as well as funds to support regional partners in the Indo-Pacific region. Despite the support for the foreign aid package, Senate Republicans are now divided over proposed amendments to make changes to the bill, with some pushing for measures related to immigration and border policy.
If the bill is eventually passed by the Senate, it would next go to the House, where it’s unclear when or whether Speaker Mike Johnson would hold a vote on it. Many House Republicans are opposed to further aid to Ukraine, causing more uncertainty and division among lawmakers.
