Speaker of the House Mike Johnson informed fellow Republican members on Tuesday that implementing major reforms in U.S. immigration policies should be their main focus during discussions regarding President Joe Biden’s proposed $106 billion funding plan. This plan aims to support military operations in Ukraine and Israel, among other security initiatives.
On Tuesday morning, Johnson emphasized this point before briefings organized by the Biden administration, which highlighted the critical need for this aid. Although Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy was expected to speak to the senators through a video call, he had to withdraw, as stated by Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer.
President Biden is advocating for Congress to sanction this package, which includes military, economic, and humanitarian support. However, incorporating border security into these discussions has complicated the process.
Johnson, addressing a press conference, declared, “Securing our borders is our foremost concern. We must prioritize this before addressing other commitments.”
Earlier, in a private session with GOP lawmakers, Johnson insisted that immigration policy should be the primary point of negotiation, as shared by a Republican who attended the meeting. Conservative members are advocating for measures outlined in H.R. 2, legislation passed in May. This bill would resume building walls along the southern U.S. border and significantly toughen the process for migrants seeking asylum in the U.S.
In a letter to the White House on Tuesday, Johnson reiterated his stance. This followed a warning from officials on Monday that the U.S. might soon lack funds for sending arms and support to Ukraine, potentially affecting its ability to counter Russia’s invasion.
The Republican Party’s demands pose a challenge for any forthcoming legislation in the Senate, where a bipartisan group is attempting to agree on a simplified version of border policy proposals. Republicans involved in these talks have admitted they are not pushing for the extensive policies included in the House’s bill, indicating a split between the two legislative bodies.
Senator James Lankford, a Republican from Oklahoma, commented that expecting the closely divided Senate to pass a bill that didn’t receive any Democratic support in the House is unrealistic.
“We have to create laws in a feasible manner,” Lankford stated.
Amidst these discussions, Schumer is urging the Senate to vote on emergency funding for Ukraine, Israel, and other national security needs by Wednesday. This funding does not include the border security measures sought by Republicans. Schumer emphasized the importance of this package for Ukraine’s future and the defense of democracy.
Schumer also mentioned that in a private conversation, Johnson told him that passing the additional funding package in the House without including H.R. 2 would be challenging.
Currently, Senate negotiations are focused on a proposal to increase the initial criteria for migrants to access the asylum process and to limit the executive branch’s power to admit migrants on humanitarian grounds.
Democrats withdrew from the talks earlier this week, citing the Republicans’ lack of willingness to compromise. The Republican senators are preparing a counterproposal, but Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell stated that the GOP would block the funding bill unless it contains the border security policies they desire.
McConnell stressed the importance of focusing on U.S. border issues alongside these global concerns.
The House is also expected to receive updates from national security adviser Jake Sullivan on the urgency of providing aid. However, many House Republicans remain doubtful about further funding for Ukraine’s war efforts, with some refusing to support it even if it comes with strict border policies.
The White House has refrained from publicly discussing the border negotiations but has urged for a swift approval of Biden’s emergency funding request.
Olivia Dalton, the White House principal deputy press secretary, stated on Tuesday, while Biden was en route to Boston, that the administration would clearly communicate the stakes in Ukraine to every member of the House and Senate.
Johnson, known for his conservative stance, had voted against security assistance for Ukraine in September. However, since assuming the role of Speaker, he has shown more openness to funding Ukraine’s military, emphasizing the need to prevent Russian President Vladimir Putin from succeeding.
Yet, Johnson has expressed his desire for more clarity from the White House regarding the strategy to end the conflict in Ukraine, seeking details about the objectives and how the funds will be overseen.
This situation has left many lawmakers concerned about the possibility of Congress failing to pass the funding before year-end.
Senator Chris Murphy, a Democrat from Connecticut, expressed on Monday night that the world should be alarmed by these developments. He criticized the Republicans for leveraging Ukraine’s funding to address a highly contentious domestic political issue.
