Senate Republicans resist advancing on border policy bill, leaving aid for Ukraine in doubt

By STEPHEN GROVES, MARY CLARE JALONICK and LISA MASCARO
Associated Press

WASHINGTON (AP) — Senate Republicans are resisting the advance of a bipartisan proposal intended to clamp down on illegal border crossings. That signals a likely defeat in Congress that would leave leaders with no clear path to approve wartime aid for Ukraine. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell recommended to GOP senators in a closed-door meeting that they vote against the first procedural vote Wednesday. Senate negotiators on Sunday night released a $118 billion package of border enforcement policy and funding for Ukraine, Israel and other U.S. allies. The bill represented a rightward tilt in Senate negotiations over border measures, but still the backlash was intense from conservatives.