Senate passes $1.7 trillion Omnibus bill with 18 Republicans voting for it

On Thursday, the Senate approved the fiscal budget for the year 2023, contemplating a spending of 1.7trillion (trillion) dollars. With 68 votes in favor (including 18 Republicans) and 29 against, the bill passes the House of Representatives.

The processing of the budget, which is more than 4,000 pages in length, was delayed due to the discussion on Title 42a, the health regulation imposed during the Trump Administration that allows authorities to deny entry of people or goods into the country to prevent the spread of disease. The measure was scheduled to be lifted this Wednesday, but the Supreme Court decided to extend it on a precautionary basis.

Republican Senator Mike Lee proposed an amendment that sought to limit funding for the Department of Homeland Security and for the White House to retain border health regulations. "During our recent border crisis, Title 42 has become the only sustained control we have over illegal immigration," he argued. However, the senators rejected its modification.

Chuck Schumer, Democratic Majority Leader, was pleased with the outcome of the vote and said the range of people the bill helps is "broad and deep." "America will be healthier, more prosperous and safer," he added.

Support for Ukraine and Republican votes

The bill to be considered by the House of Representatives includes a defense budget of some $858 billion and $40.6 billion to address natural disasters (droughts, hurricanes, fires, and other such emergencies). In addition, it envisages another 45 billion in economic, humanitarian and military assistance to Ukraine (as announced by Joe Biden on Wednesday at a conference with Volodymir Zelenski).

Mitch McConnell, Republican minority leader in the Senate, supported the package while also referring to the section on Ukraine. In addition, 17 other GOP members voted in favor: Roy Blunt (Missouri), John Boozman (Arkansas), Shelley Moore Capito (West Virginia), Susan Collins (Maine), John Cornyn (Texas), Tom Cotton (Arkansas), Lindsey Graham (South Carolina), Jim Inhofe (Oklahoma), Jerry Moran (Kansas), Lisa Murkowski (Alaska), Rob Portman (Ohio), Mitt Romney (Utah), Mike Rounds (South Dakota), Richard Shelby (Alabama), John Thune (South Dakota), Roger Wicker (Mississippi) and Todd Young (Indiana).