Following ‘productive’ White House talks, lawmakers are optimistic about the border deal with Ukraine

Paresh Jadhav

11 months ago

Congress leaders met with Biden at the White House to discuss President Obama’s $110 billion national security supplemental request – which contains funds dedicated to helping Ukraine fight Russian aggression.

But, as Republicans insist on changes to border policy – including tighter asylum restrictions – this package remains stuck.

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Optimistic After ‘Productive’ White House Meeting

Chuck Schumer expressed optimism after meeting with President Joe Biden and members of his own conference, hoping an agreement on border policy can be reached quickly enough to release funds for Ukraine and enable Biden’s over $100 billion national security supplemental spending request that includes additional aid for Ukraine, Israeli assistance packages and new asylum policies.

Schumer’s optimism faces an uphill climb in the House, where Speaker Mike Johnson has reiterated his party’s demand that fundamental immigration policy reforms be undertaken prior to any vote on Ukraine aid. Furthermore, it remains uncertain how far the White House would bend on their priorities for tighter border security; administration officials have warned that their resources for supporting Ukraine in resisting Russian invaders may run dry by August without funding from Congress.

Congressional Leaders Say They’re Cautiously Optimistic

Leaders from both parties are optimistic a deal can be struck to release $110 billion in defense aid for Ukraine and other U.S. allies in exchange for tougher border security measures.

But the bipartisan working group has struggled to find common ground. Some conservative senators, including James Lankford of the Republican Working Group, have demanded that any border package include more aggressive provisions such as restarting wall construction.

But lawmakers claim their meeting with Vice President Biden was “productive.” A White House source reported that negotiators were making progress in finding a compromise, even as an October deadline approaches for passing legislation to avoid a government shutdown. Unfortunately, negotiations have progressed slowly and no definitive results are promised at this point in time. Negotiators will meet again Sunday before Senate members return next week; Kyrsten Sinema, Kate Santaliz and Sahil Kapur contributed this report for NBC News.

House Speaker Says He’s Cautiously Optimistic

President Donald Trump’s senior advisers presented lawmakers with evidence of how failing to give Ukraine fresh funds would damage Ukrainian forces fighting off pro-Russian offensives. They informed lawmakers that existing aid for Ukraine will soon run dry and without new funds flowing in, it may become increasingly difficult for Ukraine to maintain its current defensive posture.

House Speaker Mike Johnson described the meeting as productive, insisting with White House officials that border security must remain top of mind. He told President Trump that Republican lawmakers will demand significant policy changes such as restricting humanitarian parole use by him and an end to catch-and-release enforcement practices.

Congress leaders will gather this week to assess the latest developments in a funding battle that threatens to shut down most of the federal government. Washington hopes that by agreeing on a budget deal before raising the nation’s debt limit and avoiding default, a deal can be struck that keeps most federal operations operational.

Senate Leaders Say They’re Cautiously Optimistic

White House and Congressional leaders face an urgent deadline for reaching agreements on debt ceiling, transportation funding, budget allocations, border security arrangements and student loan interest rate reduction plans. Furthermore, they may need to evaluate any additional spending proposals that might make up part of a final package deal.

Sources indicate the Obama administration has been exerting strong pressure on Congress to provide aid for Ukraine, Israel and other U.S. allies as they battle Russia’s two-year invasion. Furthermore, more weapons should be provided to military units fighting Russian-backed rebels in eastern Ukraine.

Some Republicans have responded negatively to President Donald Trump’s demands for House GOP immigration policies and other priorities that the party would normally advance, such as Johnson’s assertion that Ukraine’s situation warrants immediate attention; Johnson apparently told a group of Democratic senators at a private meeting not to let this momentary opportunity slip by them.

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