Border deal tied to $118 billion foreign aid package fails to advance in Senate

Schumer says he will proceed with a separate vote on a more than $90 billion package with foreign aid for Ukraine, Israel and Gaza

By Nicholas Ballasy

Published: February 7, 2024 2:51pm

Updated: February 7, 2024 4:48pm

The border deal that was negotiated in the Senate by a group of Democrats and Republicans and incorporated into a $118 billion foreign aid package failed to advance in the Senate on Wednesday.

The measure fell short of the 60 votes needed to move forward.

Senate Democrat leader Chuck Schumer said earlier that he planned to remove the border security language if it failed.

The second vote will now be on supplemental foreign aid for Ukraine, Israel and Gaza.

The Senate bill that includes the additional foreign aid without U.S. border provisions is estimated at about $93 billion. It's classified as emergency funding and does not include provisions to cover the cost.

“Republicans first insisted the only way to pass this National Security Supplemental [measure] was with a border package attached," Schumer also said. "Now, they are saying the only way it can proceed is without. I am giving them both options."

Conservative organizations such Heritage Action are encouraging Republican lawmakers to vote against the bill.