Senators leave Capitol Hill for winter recess without passing Ukraine aid

The Senate passed a bill temporarily reauthorizing the Federal Aviation Administration but failed to pass a bill involving funding for Ukraine, Israel, Taiwan and the U.S. border before going on winter recess. 

Sen. Michael Bennet, D-Colo., lifted his hold on a bill reauthorizing the FAA's authority for three months late Tuesday evening and the legislation subsequently passed by unanimous consent. Bennet had issued the hold to give more time for negotiations on a deal where Republicans demanded border funding in exchange for foreign military aid, according to The Hill. 

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., said Tuesday in a rare joint statement that their "colleagues are making encouraging progress" on the security legislation. 

Senators and the Biden administration will work on the agreement through the end of this year, with plans to introduce a bill at the beginning of next year, the Senate leaders said. 

Biden's proposed $105 billion aid package included $61 billion for Ukraine, $14 billion for Israel, $2 billion for Taiwan and billions for Palestinian refugees and the U.S. border. The White House warned earlier this month that it will run out of money for Ukraine if a bill is not passed before the end of the year. 

Republicans want more money to be allocated to the border and are calling for a rewrite of immigration and border legislation, per The Associated Press. 

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