Tensions boiled over as the Senate headed toward Wednesday’s vote on President Biden’s $106 billion emergency aid package for Israel, Ukraine and Taiwan.
A classified Senate briefing Tuesday on Ukraine devolved into testy exchanges between Republicans and Democrats.
Some Republicans left the room early in a snub to Majority Leader Charles E. Schumer who refused to include U.S. border policies in the bill. He offered an amendment vote on the legislation rather than continuing to work toward a bipartisan deal, drawing GOP scorn for what they said was an insincere negotiating tactic.
The typically mild-mannered Sen. Kevin Cramer, North Dakota Republican, was infuriated.
“[Democrats] don’t give a damn about our southern border. They don’t give a damn about Ukraine. They have all the hostages they’re willing to kill to make another point,” Mr. Kramer said. “It’s infuriating. He’s going to kill this bill by his unwillingness to deal with the southern border.”
Sen. Eric Schmitt, Missouri Republican, said that calling the briefing a “waste of time would be an understatement.”
“There’s an enormous frustration at Sen. Schumer, the Democrats and the administration’s unwillingness to deal with our border,” said Sen. John Cornyn, Texas Republican. “They want billions — tens of billions — of dollars to help our friends and allies overseas — which I support — but they’re not willing to do what’s necessary to prevent a potential crisis at the border.”
Sen. Joni Ernst, Iowa Republican, described the closed-door session as “a little spicy.”
Mr. Schumer blamed Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, Kentucky Republican, for having “hijacked” the briefing by asking GOP Sen. James Lankford of Oklahoma to give an update on border security negotiations rather than ask a question of the intelligence officials on Ukraine.
He also said Republicans berated a general in attendance.
“When I brought up the idea that they could do an amendment and have the ability to get something done on the border, they got stuck. They didn’t like it,” Mr. Schumer said. “One of them was disrespectful and started screaming at one of the generals and challenging him to why he didn’t go to the border.”
Sen. Tom Cotton, Arkansas Republican, reportedly began screaming about the southern border to at least one of the officials briefing lawmakers.
It was the latest sign that Congress won’t be able to approve the emergency war aid before leaving town for the holidays next week.
The spending bill on Wednesday is not expected to clear the 60-vote hurdle to survive in the chamber, which would require at least nine Republican votes.
• Ramsey Touchberry can be reached at rtouchberry@washingtontimes.com.
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