Here the Republicans break with their party to support aid to Ukraine

Politics

Eighteen Senate Republicans bucked a majority of their party and former President Donald J. Trump by joining Democrats to push military aid to Ukraine toward Senate approval, widening the growing rift the area of foreign policy within today's Republican Party.

The 18 senators, mostly national security hawks including several military veterans, provided the votes needed to overcome multiple filibusters backed by a majority of their colleagues, paving the way for approval within a few days of $95 billion in aid to Ukraine, Israel and allies in the country. the Pacific ocean.

“The common thread that ties this group together is national security,” said Senator Jerry Moran, a Republican from Kansas and one of the 18. “America's national security, the belief that what happens in Ukraine matters to the United States, the belief that what happens in Israel matters, and the belief that what happens in the South Pacific, matters.”

Supporting the funding could lead to condemnation of Mr. Trump and his allies, a possibility that was most likely a factor in some's decision to oppose it.

Some Republicans who have opposed the bill have suggested that they might ultimately support the legislation upon final passage, after trying to use their opposition to win the opportunity to amend the bill — an effort that has so far failed has proven successful. But whether more than half of the 49 Republicans will vote for it remains an open question.

Here's a closer look at the defectors so far, and what motivates them.

All but two of the Senate's Republican leaders

The group includes the Senate's top two Republicans, Mitch McConnell of Kentucky and John Thune of South Dakota, as well as two others on the leadership team: Senators Joni Ernst of Iowa and Shelley Moore Capito of West Virginia.

Two other leaders, Senators John Barrasso of Wyoming and Steve Daines of Montana, both of whom have supported Mr. Trump, are opposed.

The sharp division over funding within the top ranks of the Senate Republican Conference reflects a sharp division within the party, which for much of the post-World War II era has been a strong proponent of exercising American power abroad and supporting U.S. allies. But there is growing and strong sentiment among Republicans — encouraged by Mr. Trump — to withdraw from foreign involvement.

Mr. McConnell has been one of the most outspoken advocates of sending aid to Ukraine. He has called Kiev'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 opposing President Vladimir V. Putin.

Senator Rand Paul, a Kentucky Republican who has led an effort to delay the military aid measure, on Monday called the idea that strengthening Ukraine was essential to US national security “ridiculous.”

“I think sending money to Ukraine actually endangers our national security even more,” Mr. Paul said. “The leadership is united, but it is the wrong kind of compromise. It's a compromise to plunder the Treasury. They are scooping up borrowed money.”

Others who voted in favor of the funding include Senators John Cornyn of Texas, a former top Republican interested in a return to leadership, and Charles E. Grassley of Iowa, the longest-serving Republican in the Senate.

National security leaders and veterans

Several members of the Armed Services Committee have supported the bill's progress, including Sen. Roger Wicker of Mississippi, the ranking Republican on the panel. Other members of that committee who voted to advance the military aid include Senator Mike Rounds of South Dakota, Ms. Ernst and Senators Dan Sullivan of Alaska and Markwayne Mullin of Oklahoma.

Ms. Ernst served overseas as an officer in the Iowa National Guard, and Mr. Sullivan is a colonel in the Marine Corps. A third Republican veteran who has been a strong supporter of the relief, Sen. Todd Young of Indiana, is a former Navy officer.

Democrats have praised the 18 Republicans who joined them in the Ukraine effort.

“I think they understand the need to support Ukraine, especially because this is a battle between a rules-based international order and the Russian autocracy,” said Senator Jack Reed, Democrat of Rhode Island and chairman of the Armed Services Committee. “They also understand that our service members may soon be involved.”

Mainstream 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 pushing the aid. Other promoters behind the bill include Mr. Moran, Senator John Kennedy of Louisiana and Ms. Capito.

The measure has the support of a handful of others known to break with their party and support bipartisan compromise, including Senators Mitt Romney of Utah, a member of the Foreign Relations Committee; Bill Cassidy from Louisiana; and Thom Tillis of North Carolina.

“I think there is a general understanding that if we fail this vote, if we don't support Ukraine — this is not a blunder, this is not an exaggeration — bad things will happen,” Tillis said Monday.

Republican supporters of the legislation say they cannot worry about Mr. Trump or the potential electoral fallout, given the urgency behind the drive to contain Russia and avoid a broader war in Europe or Asia.

“The stakes are high and we must seize the moment,” Ms Collins said.

As for a possible response, Mr. Tillis said he was not concerned.

“I slept like a baby last night,” he said, referring to his vote Sunday to overcome the filibuster of a majority of his Republican colleagues.

The following is an alphabetical list of the 18 Republicans who voted to advance the bill passed a crucial procedural hurdle on Sunday:

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 Markwayne Mullin of Oklahoma
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