(PatrioticPost.com)- The U.S. Senate failed to pass the $1.7 trillion spending bill that totaled 4,155 pages last week, meaning that a shutdown is imminent as the holidays approach, according to the Washington Examiner. The bill stalled despite leadership from both parties reportedly urging others for their support.
One key factor contributing to the holdup is the Republicans’ desire to include a Trump-era border policy within the bill. As of right now, the spending package bars the U.S. from spending any more money on the security of the southern border, despite giving $410 million toward border security for Jordan, Lebanon, Egypt, Tunisia, and Oman, according to American Pigeon.
The provision comes as the ending of Title 42 is near, a pandemic-era policy that expelled illegal immigrants from the country. As a result of its end, migrants are reportedly flooding the border in El Paso, Texas seeking entry. One source alleged that the migrants will likely get their wish and be released into the country’s interior, according to American Pigeon.
Sen. Mike Lee is looking to keep Title 42 in place before funding the Department of Homeland Security.
If the negotiations fall short, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell is looking to revert to a smaller spending bill rather than the yearlong $1.7 trillion package that will also fund the United States government through September 2023.
The bill also faced public backlash when it was revealed that the U.S. will be giving another $45 billion to Ukraine, representing an $8 billion increase from what the White House initially requested.
Journalist Glenn Greenwald raised questions about how the excess spending will benefit American citizens, who are forced to send what is now totaling over $100 billion to Ukraine. He noted that those who “own huge amounts of stock in the weapons manufacturers…have done extremely well from this war.”
