Vermont’s two delegates to the U.S. Senate staked out opposite positions Wednesday on a key procedural vote to advance a bipartisan measure marrying new border restrictions with additional aid for Ukraine and Israel.
Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., joined four Democrats and most of the Republican caucus in opposing the measure, while Sen. Peter Welch, D-Vt., joined four Republicans and most Democrats in voting for it. The motion to advance the legislation, which required 60 votes, ultimately failed by a vote of 50-49.
The sprawling, $118 billion bill, which had been hammered out for months by a group of Republicans and Democrats — with support from leaders of both parties and President Joe Biden — brought together a number of unrelated provisions. It would have provided $60 billion in military funding for Ukraine, $14 billion for Israel and $10 billion in humanitarian aid.
It also would have limited the number of migrants who could cross the U.S.-Mexico border, make it harder for migrants to claim asylum and provide some additional visas to immigrants, among other provisions.
In a written statement explaining his opposition to the deal, Sanders focused entirely on the funding it would have provided to Israel. He said the nation had the right to defend itself against Hamas, which launched attacks on Israel from the Gaza Strip four months ago, but Sanders criticized Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government for killing tens of thousands of Palestinians, driving many more from their homes and blocking humanitarian assistance.
“This bill provides $10 billion dollars more in U.S. military aid for the Netanyahu government to continue its horrific war against the Palestinian people,” Sanders said. “That is unconscionable. That is why I will be voting NO.”
In his own statement, Welch took the opportunity to criticize Senate Republicans for demanding border security measures and then refusing to vote for them. In opposing the bill, he said, “Republicans have made clear they care more about preserving a political talking point on immigration than negotiating in good faith.”
Welch also criticized the Netanyahu government and said he remained committed to ending the war in Gaza, but he said it was essential for the body to consider even imperfect legislation.
“In order for the Senate to function we must have robust debate on hard issues,” he said. “That’s why I supported this procedural step in the process. It’s stunning the Republicans walked away from the opportunity to debate these important issues, particularly when it included the border provisions they demanded.”
After the bill failed to advance Wednesday, Democratic leaders sought to bring up an alternative measure that would include aid to Ukraine and Israel but not the new border restrictions. Republicans, who have feuded in recent days over their approach to the southern border, delayed that debate and the vote was ultimately postponed.
Wednesday’s action in the Senate followed a pair of failed votes in the House Tuesday, during which U.S. Rep. Becca Balint, D-Vt., voted against a separate Israeli aid package and the impeachment of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas.
