Trump put the pressure on

Republicans cause billions package to fail

Mitch McConnell, the Republican minority leader in the Senate, buckled on the last few meters.

(Bild: AFP)

In the US, a bipartisan legislative package on migration policy and aid for Israel and Ukraine has failed after pressure from former President Donald Trump. The package of measures with a volume of 118 billion dollars did not achieve the required majority of 60 votes in the Senate on Wednesday. 

President Joe Biden's Democrats have a wafer-thin majority of 51 votes to 49 in the chamber of 100 senators.

For months, the opposition Republicans have insisted that additional aid for the USA's two allies be linked to measures to stem the large number of migrants entering the USA via the Mexican border.

Mitch McConnell, the Republican minority leader in the Senate, buckled on the last few meters.

(Bild: AFP)

A no for the election campaign
Illegal immigration is a key issue in the US election campaign. However, Trump has called on his party colleagues not to compromise on this issue. Many Republicans then rejected the legislative package when it was published last Sunday, even though it contained many of their demands.

However, the Republicans want to approve the aid for Israel and Ukraine in a further vote. The Senate is expected to vote on a 96 billion dollar package on Wednesday, in which the migration policy reforms are removed but foreign aid remains in place. The debate on this is due to continue on Thursday afternoon (local time).

Aid is also likely to fail
However, the release of funds for Israel and Ukraine remains questionable, even if the Senate gives the green light. This is because the aid must also pass the House of Representatives, in which the Republicans hold the majority. So far, they have rejected the aid.