Two months ago, a majority of Republicans opposed the $95 billion foreign aid bill when it came to the Senate floor for a vote. Nine of those senators flipped Tuesday, sending the bill to President Joe Biden for his signature.
The bill passed by an overwhelming 79-18 margin.
It wasn’t long ago that Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., found himself in the minority of Republican senators who supported the foreign aid bill. In February, there were 22 GOP senators in favor and 26 opposed; one Republican senator didn’t vote.
It was a different story Tuesday. This time, 31 Republicans voted in favor of the foreign aid package, 15 opposed it, and three Republicans didn’t vote.
>>> How Much Are You Paying for Ukraine Aid? Economist Crunches the Numbers
The 10 Republicans who flip-flopped were Sens. Katie Britt, Tom Cotton, Steve Daines, Deb Fischer, Lindsey Graham, Cindy Hyde-Smith, James Lankford, Markwayne Mullin, Pete Ricketts, and Tim Scott.
The GOP senators most frequently mentioned as McConnell’s successor as party leader—Sens. John Cornyn and John Thune—voted for the measure. Sen. John Barrasso, who is running for GOP whip, voted against it.
Below is the roll call of how each Republican senator voted. The complete list of senators, including Democrats, is available here.
YEAs (31)
John Boozman, R-Ark.
Katie Britt, R-Ala.
Shelley Moore Capito, R-W.Va.
Bill Cassidy, R-La.
Susan Collins, R-Maine
John Cornyn, R-Texas
Tom Cotton, R-Ark.
Kevin Cramer, R-N.D.
Mike Crapo, R-Idaho
Steve Daines, R-Mont.
Joni Ernst, R-Iowa
Deb Fischer, R-Neb.
Lindsey Graham, R-S.C.
Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa
John Hoeven, R-N.D.
Cindy Hyde-Smith, R-Miss.
John Kennedy, R-La.
James Lankford, R-Okla.
Mitch McConnell, R-Ky.
Jerry Moran, R-Kan.
Markwayne Mullin, R-Okla.
Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska
Pete Ricketts, R-Neb.
James Risch, R-Idaho
Mitt Romney, R-Utah
Mike Rounds, R-S.D.
Tim Scott, R-S.C.
Dan Sullivan, R-Alaska
John Thune, R-S.D.
Thom Tillis, R-N.C.
Roger Wicker, R-Miss.
Todd Young, R-Ind.
NAYs (15)
John Barrasso, R-Wyo.
Marsha Blackburn, R-Tenn.
Mike Braun, R-Ind.
Ted Budd, R-N.C.
Ted Cruz, R-Texas
Bill Hagerty, R-Tenn.
Josh Hawley, R-Mo.
Ron Johnson, R-Wis.
Mike Lee, R-Utah
Cynthia Lummis, R-Wyo.
Roger Marshall, R-Kan.
Marco Rubio, R-Fla.
Eric Schmitt, R-Mo.
Rick Scott, R-Fla.
J.D. Vance, R-Ohio
Not Voting (2)
Rand Paul, R-Ky.
Tommy Tuberville, R-Ala.
Several of the senators who voted against the February bill cited the lack of border security as a reason for their opposition, although its lack of inclusion in the latest iteration didn’t appear to be as much of a factor. House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., opted not to include a separate bill addressing the border crisis as part of the foreign aid legislation.
Graham was among those who opposed the February bill. He explained his change of thinking during a floor speech Tuesday.
“I voted no [on the Senate bill earlier this year because] the border security provisions [were] sort of inadequate to the task on parole and a few other things,” Graham said. “My hope was … we could negotiate a stronger border security package [with the House]. That did not happen.”
Scott, the South Carolina Republican who ran for president, focused on the bill’s aid for Israel and his own FEND Off Fentanyl Act, which is included in the wide-ranging legislation. His statement made only a passing reference to Ukraine.
“While far from perfect, I support this national security package because it will help keep Americans and our allies safe,” Scott said. “The effort of Congress to support our allies should be applauded, but President Biden’s foreign policies have been an utter failure.”
Mullin, who flipped from a no in February to a yes Tuesday, defended his vote by promoting the billions that will flow to the U.S. defense industry.
Britt echoed a similar point in a statement about Tuesday’s vote.
“This legislation, while imperfect, will make critical strides to reestablish credible American deterrence and move us closer to restoring the peace through strength that President Biden inherited,” Britt said. “Alabama plays a huge role in our national defense, and this legislation will further enhance Alabamians’ contributions to ensuring our warfighters are the best equipped, trained, and resourced in the world.”
On the other side, Tuberville delivered a blistering speech, calling it “the Swamp at its worst.”
“This is not compromise,” said Rubio, another critic of the bill. “This is legislative blackmail. And I will not vote for blackmail.”
Shortly after the cloture motion passed earlier Tuesday, McConnell directed his ire at conservative commentator Tucker Carlson for delaying congressional approval. President Joe Biden had made his original request back in October.
“The demonization of Ukraine began by Tucker Carlson,” McConnell said. “He had enormous audience, which convinced a lot of rank-and-file Republicans that maybe this was a mistake.”
In the House of Representatives, opposition to Ukraine funding has doubled in the course of the past two years. There are now more Republicans in the House opposed to additional Ukraine funding than those who support it.
Even so, the latest Ukraine funding bill was approved Saturday on a 311-112 vote with the unanimous support of Democrats. All 112 lawmakers voting against the bill were Republicans. By comparison, 101 Republicans voted in favor of the bill.
>>> House Republican Opposition to Ukraine Funding Doubles in 2 Years
In addition to the Ukraine funding ($60.84 billion), lawmakers also approved separate bills for Israel ($26.38 billion); the Indo-Pacific ($8.12 billion); and the 21st Century Peace Through Strength Act, a bill that would impose more sanctions on China, Iran, and Russia. They also adopted a measure requiring TikTok’s parent company to sever ties with the Communist Chinese government or cease operations within the United States.
Following the Senate’s approval, the bill awaits Biden’s signature.
Sens. Katie Britt, R-Ala., and James Lankford were two of the nine Republicans who voted in favor of the $95 billion foreign aid bill Tuesday after opposing a similar version in February. (Photo: Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images)
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