WASHINGTON (WV News) — West Virginia's U.S. senators, Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., and Shelley Moore Capito, R-W.Va., were among senators voting to pass a $95 billion aid package for Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan.
The Senate passed the funding measure 70-29 early Tuesday. Twenty-eight Republicans, including Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, joined Capito in voting for the measure.
The House of Representatives now will take up the measure. House Speaker Mike Johnson has said he opposes the plan, as has former President Donald Trump.
“The House will have to figure out a path forward and they’ll have to do it their way, but we needed to start the process and we’ve done that,” Senate GOP Whip John Thune said, according to CNN.
“The national security supplemental we passed today equips our country with the resources to restore American deterrence and resolve amid rising threats and President Biden’s weakness," Capito said.
"This bill expands the capacity of the U.S. defense industrial base and restocks American munitions stockpiles with newer and more advanced weapons, many of which have critical components manufactured in West Virginia," Capito said.
“I have been firm in my support for a national security supplemental that provides security assistance to allies and partners facing aggression as well as solutions to the national security challenges we face here at home," Capito said.
"I also wanted a border component as part of this supplemental. However, because of the overwhelming concern Republicans and West Virginians conveyed to me, I voted against advancing that bill," Capito said.
"I had hoped for an amendment process that would have allowed the Senate to debate and vote on border security amendments. But unfortunately, obstructionists prohibited that from occurring. I will continue my efforts to secure the border and hope that President Biden will use the numerous tools at his immediate disposal to alleviate this crisis.”
Manchin said he was pleased with the outcome, but "extremely disappointed that the legislation excludes essential provisions to shut down the southern border and send a clear message to the world that if you come here illegally, you will be sent home."
"We owe it to the 18,000 men and women of the Border Patrol Union to keep working to pass this bill, and I intend to do just that," Manchin said.
“As the superpower of the world, we cannot abandon our allies. The United States Senate’s bipartisan national security package advances America’s interests both on the world stage and right here at home," Manchin said.
"It’s a commitment to help Ukraine fight against Putin’s unprovoked invasion and send a powerful signal to all our NATO allies, especially those along the Russian border, that we will stand strong to defend democracy," Manchin said.
"We are also making a commitment to support Israel following Hamas’ unprecedented terrorist attack. Lastly, it’s a commitment to rebuilding our own defense industrial base," Manchin said.
"I am proud to vote for peace and stability over tyranny and authoritarianism, and I urge my colleagues in the House to take up and pass this bipartisan package as quickly as possible.”