WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR) – Senators may be stuck in the Capitol for Super Bowl weekend as they debate an international aid package.
A bill that would send $95 billion to U.S. allies has support from lawmakers in both parties, but it still faces a tough road ahead.
“We have momentum. Let’s make sure we get this bill passed,” Senator Ben Cardin (D-Md.) said. “There is no more important foreign policy priority.”
Democratic senators have signaled strong support for the package, but there are mixed feelings among Republicans.
Senator Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) expressed frustration that the bill does not include border reform.
“I am not happy,” Graham said. “This idea we’ve done enough on the border is BS. I am not done. I’m not going to help Ukraine until we first do a better job helping ourselves.”
An earlier bill did include immigration policies, but many Republicans, including Graham, voted against it and killed the bill.
Some Republicans say they will vote for this new version of the bill, which just includes the international aid.
“American assistance of these efforts is not charity. It’s an investment in cold hard US interests,” Senator Minority Leader Mitch McConnell said.
Ukraine says its soldiers are running out of weapons and ammunition.
Senator Michael Bennet (D-Colo.) says Russian President Vladimir Putin is hoping the U.S. fails to send Ukraine help.
“The battlefield he’s counting on winning on is the battlefield here on Capitol Hill,” Bennet said.
As senators settle in for what’s expected to be a long weekend, Senator Thom Tillis (R-N.C.) argues this cause is worth it.
