by Seventeen Senate Republicans have bucked their party’s majority and former President Donald J. Trump by joining Democrats to push military assistance to Ukraine toward Senate approval, highlighting a growing divide in foreign policy in the contemporary Republican Party.
The 17 senators, mostly national security hawks who include several military veterans, have provided the votes needed to overcome multiple filibuster measures backed by a majority of their colleagues, clearing the way for passage within 95,000 days. millions of dollars in aid to Ukraine, Israel and their allies in the Pacific region.
“The thread that unites that group is national security,” said Sen. Jerry Moran, a Kansas Republican who is one of the 17. “America’s national security, the belief that what happens in Ukraine matters to them.” to the United States, the belief that what happens in Israel matters and the belief that what happens in the South Pacific matters.”
Backing the funding could draw condemnation from Trump and his allies, a possibility that most likely was a factor in the decision of some to oppose it.
Some Republicans who have opposed the bill have suggested they could ultimately support the legislation upon final passage after trying to use their opposition to gain the opportunity to change it, an effort that has so far been unsuccessful. But it remains an open question whether more than half of the 49 Republicans will vote in favor.
Here’s a closer look at the defectors so far and what motivates them.
All but two of the Senate Republican leaders
The group includes the Senate’s two top Republicans, Mitch McConnell of Kentucky and John Thune of South Dakota, as well as two other members of the leadership team: Sens. Joni Ernst of Iowa and Shelley Moore Capito of West Virginia.
Two other leaders, Sens. John Barrasso of Wyoming and Steve Daines of Montana, who have endorsed Trump, are opposed.
The stark divide on funding within the highest levels of the Senate Republican Conference reflects a stark divide within the party, which for much of the post-World War II era has been a staunch advocate of wielding American power abroad and support its allies. But there is a strong and growing sentiment among Republicans, encouraged by Trump, to withdraw from foreign involvement.
McConnell has been one of the staunchest defenders of sending aid to Ukraine. He has called kyiv’s war against Russian aggression an existential issue and has argued with increasing fervor in recent days that the United States should not abandon its democratic ally to President Vladimir V. Putin.
Sen. Rand Paul, a Kentucky Republican who has been leading an effort to stop the military aid measure, on Monday called “ridiculous” the idea that bolstering Ukraine was essential to U.S. national security.
“I think sending money to Ukraine actually puts our national security in greater danger,” Paul said. “Leaders have come together, but it is the wrong kind of commitment. It is a commitment to loot the Treasury. “They are borrowing money.”
Others who voted in favor of the funding include Sens. John Cornyn of Texas, a former top Republican who is interested in rejoining the leadership, and Charles E. Grassley of Iowa, the longest-serving Republican.
National Security Leaders and Veterans
Several members of the Armed Services Committee have supported advancing the bill, including Sen. Roger Wicker of Mississippi, the ranking Republican on the panel, Sens. Mike Rounds of South Dakota and Dan Sullivan of Alaska, and Ms. .Ernst.
Ms. Ernst served overseas as an officer in the Iowa National Guard and Mr. Sullivan is a colonel in the Marine Corps Reserve. A third veteran Republican who has strongly supported aid, Sen. Todd Young of Indiana, is a former Navy officer.
Democrats have praised Republicans who have joined them in the Ukraine effort.
“I think they understand the need to support Ukraine, especially because this is a contest between a rules-based international order and Russian autocracy,” said Sen. Jack Reed, a Rhode Island Democrat and chairman of the Armed Services Committee. “They also understand that it could soon involve our service members.”
Traditional Republicans and appropriators
Members of the Appropriations Committee, including two more centrist senators (Susan Collins of Maine, the ranking Republican on the spending panel, and Lisa Murkowski of Alaska), have also been instrumental in promoting the aid. Others responsible for the bill include Mr. Moran, Senator John Kennedy of Louisiana and Ms. Capito.
The measure is supported by a handful of others known to have broken with their party and supported bipartisan compromises, including Sens. Mitt Romney of Utah, a member of the Foreign Relations Committee; Bill Cassidy of Louisiana; and Thom Tillis of North Carolina.
“I think there’s a common understanding that if we fail this vote, if we don’t stand with Ukraine — this is not bragging, this is not hyperbole — bad things will happen,” Tillis said Monday.
Republican supporters of the legislation say they can’t worry about Trump or the potential electoral fallout, given the urgency behind the push to rein in Russia and prevent a broader war in Europe or Asia.
“The stakes are high and we must meet the moment,” Ms. Collins said.
As for possible backlash, Tillis said he wasn’t worried.
“I slept like a baby last night,” he said, referring to his vote Sunday to overcome the filibuster of most of his Republican colleagues.
The following is an alphabetical list of the 17 Republicans who voted to advance the bill cleared its final procedural hurdle on Monday:
Senator Shelley Moore Capito of West Virginia
Senator Bill Cassidy of Louisiana
Senator Susan Collins of Maine
Senator John Cornyn of Texas
Senator Joni Ernst of Iowa
Senator Charles E. Grassley of Iowa
Senator John Kennedy of Louisiana
Senator Mitch McConnell of Kentucky
Senator Jerry Moran of Kansas
Senator Lisa Murkowski of Alaska
Senator Mitt Romney of Utah
Senator Mike Rounds of South Dakota
Senator Dan Sullivan of Alaska
Senator John Thune of South Dakota
Senator Thom Tillis of North Carolina
Senator Roger Wicker of Mississippi
Senator Todd Young of Indiana
