A number of Senate Republicans reversed course from their prior opposition to a sprawling foreign aid package — to now back advancing the House-passed measure providing funds to Israel, Ukraine and Taiwan.
Among those flipping their votes: Katie Britt (Ala.), Tom Cotton (Ark.), Deb Fischer (Neb.), Lindsey Graham (S.C.), Cindy Hyde-Smith (Miss.), James Lankford (Okla.), Markwayne Mullin (Okla.), Pete Ricketts (Neb.) and Tim Scott (S.C.).
Overall, the procedural vote passed easily, 80-19.
“It’s just so much easier to go back home and say, ‘Listen, we’re asking people to pay us back when they can if they can,’” Graham said in an interview. “This is just a much better package. It’s more robust for Israel.”
To be clear, procedural votes don’t automatically indicate support on final passage.
Sen. Peter Welch (D-Vt.), who opposed the prior February measure, voted to advance this foreign aid package, while Sen. Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyo.), who was absent from the February vote, opposed this measure. Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.), who voted against the deal in February, was absent from Tuesday’s vote.
