Internet weighs in as Senate blocks $118B border bill, prepares narrower aid measure for Ukraine and Israel

WASHINGTON, DC: The much-talked-about $118 billion bipartisan border bill officially crashed on Wednesday, February 7, as the Senate Republicans made sure to block the legislation, as reported by the New York Post.

Instead, the upper chamber prepared a $95 billion aid package bill in military aid for Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan, which will see a crucial test vote on Thursday. 

The bill failed to clear the 60-vote filibuster in the US Senate as GOP lawmakers, along with a few Democrats, voted to thwart the legislation. Ahead of the voting, Minority Leader Mitch McConnell had already admitted that there was "no real chance" the bill would become law.

As per reports, 44 Republicans voted against the bill, and four Democrats, Bob Menendez, Elizabeth Warren, Ed Markey, and Alex Padilla, joined them. On the other hand, Democratic Senators Bernie Sanders and Majority Leader Chuck Schumer voted "nay," citing procedural reasons. 

Key negotiator of the bill, James Lankford, and his fellow Republicans Susan Collins, Mitt Romney, and Lisa Murkowski, joined 45 Democrats voting for the bill, which fell 11 votes short of meeting the 60-vote requirement. 

Majority leader Chuck Schumer slams Republicans for killing border bill

From the start, the bipartisan border bill faced opposition from Republican lawmakers, including Donald Trump and Mike Johnson. The House Speaker called the bill "worse than expected," while the ex-POTUS claimed it was a "death wish" for Republicans.

Before the vote, Schumer slammed the GOP for the change in their earlier demand to combine Ukraine aid and border security.

On the Senate floor, the Majority Leader said, "Republicans have said they can't pass Ukraine without border [security]. Now they say they can't pass Ukraine with border. So today, I'm giving them a choice. They can show America where they stand and what they stand for."

After the voting, he chided the GOP for killing the long-sought bill to secure the US-Mexico border gripped by the worsening migrant crisis.

"It must be said that the 180-degree turn Republicans have done on the border is one of the most stunning things I've seen Congress in a long long time do. The damage Republicans have done this week to their credibility cannot be understated," lashed out Schumer.

The surging number of undocumented migrants entering the US through the southern border is becoming a sore point for President Joe Biden amid his reelection bid.

As the border security bill failed to advance, several Democrats accused Trump, who will likely be the Republican presidential nominee, of orchestrating GOP lawmakers to oppose it to prevent the current president from a legislative victory.

Internet reacts after Senate Republicans block long-awaited border security bill

Soon after the news of the border security bill's failure came to light, netizens were quick to voice their opinions regarding how the government should tackle the migrant crisis. 

One said, "Good. Time for stand alone bills, always," and another opined, "Good! Deal with the border. ALONE. It is important."

A person noted, "Accountability must happen, stand alone bills are the answer," while someone else expressed, "Single subject bill for our border ONLY."

An individual remarked, "Yes, no more combined bills. Single Subject Bills from now on." 

"Yes! Now do a real boarder bill that doesn’t give 3x to other countries," wrote one more, and another person mentioned, "They shouldn’t be in the same bill. The US Border bill should be down separately and done first. Border security for Ukraine and Israel can be done later." 

This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.