Republicans have blocked a bipartisan bill to tackle the US border and provide aid to Ukraine and Israel - succumbing to pressure from Donald Trump who wants to attack Democrats over immigration as he seeks another term as president.
Having spent months negotiating the legislation, that many Republicans just weeks ago admitted met more of their demands for tackling illegal immigration than any previous bill, senators voted 49-50, largely along party lines.
Because the measure required 60 votes to advance it did not do so, leaving Democrats quick to attack Republicans.
Joe Biden was among the first to do so, saying at a fundraising event in New York he “never thought I’d see something like we are seeing now”.
“[Republicans are] walking away because they’ve got Donald Trump calling and threatening them,” he added.
The $118 billion package would have provided extra resources for the US’s southern border and tightened requirements for those seeking to enter the country. It would have also provided military aid for Israel and Ukraine, the latter cause in particular being one the US president has found him increasingly isolated on as the conflict has entered its third year.