It took all night, but the Senate passed a $95 billion foreign aid package Tuesday morning minutes before the sun rose on Capitol Hill.
Despite the imagery, the bill’s prospects of become law appear dark. But that didn’t stop the bill’s champions from gloating after a decisive 70 to 29 vote.
“History settles every account,” Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) said in a statement. “And today, on the value of American leadership and strength, history will record that the Senate did not blink.”
Yet less than half of McConnell’s conference voted with him in another sign that the conference – and the party – are moving away from the long-time Republican leader.
“Most Senate Republicans vote no. McConnell of course votes with the Democrats,” Sen. Josh Hawley (R-MO) posted on X after the vote. “He is Biden’s chief foreign policy supporter these days. That position is an island – and the gulf between it and the rest of America is only getting wider.”
Most Senate Republicans vote no. McConnell of course votes with the Democrats. He is Biden’s chief foreign policy supporter these days. That position is an island – and the gulf between it & the rest of America is only getting wider
Josh Hawley (@HawleyMO) February 13, 2024
Democrats blocked motions to allow amendments, even Democrat amendments, in a sign that the skids were greased for the Schumer-McConnell agreements.
In return, the bill’s opponents refused to yield to a time agreement to expedite the vote, taking turns speaking against the bill and the process on the Senate floor until the clock expired just after 5:00 a.
