Senate Republicans’ rejection of a carefully negotiated bipartisan package that combined millions in wartime aid for Ukraine with new border laws has put into jeopardy its passage through Congress. The $118bn bipartisan package included extensive changes to US-Mexican immigration rules.
Senate leaders are currently discussing how best to proceed and have put on hold any vote regarding procedural motions to advance them.
McConnell Says He’s Still Working on a Border-Ukraine Deal
Once Senate Republicans blocked an attempted border security-Ukraine supplemental package, Democratic Majority Leader Chuck Schumer announced his intention to introduce a foreign aid bill that excludes any related to border security provisions or funds. According to sources close to these negotiations, this new negotiated foreign aid bill will include support for Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan aid.
Hardline conservatives who helped kill off the original proposal will likely oppose any subsequent plan; these lawmakers fear it could legalise thousands of illegal immigrants into the country and undermine any future Republican president’s efforts to curb immigration.
At a lunch with GOP senators, McConnell made clear he has no plans of withdrawing from negotiations. He noted the bipartisan effort has wide support within his conference, while Ukraine remains essential. Lastly, border security has already become a central part of presidential politics.
Schumer Says He’s Moving to a Plan B
After Republican senators dashed hopes of increasing border security in exchange for wartime aid to Ukraine and Israel, Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer struggled to rally his conference behind a foreign aid plan; should Wednesday’s procedural vote fail, however, Schumer may switch tactics by going with an alternate plan instead.
An aide for Sen. Sanders says he plans to introduce a separate standalone package of assistance for Ukraine, Israel and the Indo-Pacific that won’t contain any border provisions or funds; this would give vulnerable colleagues an opportunity to back the bill while attesting on campaign trails that they tried addressing the crisis at the border.
But this iteration of the package could face an uphill battle in the House, as several hard-right lawmakers oppose additional aid for Ukraine. That could impose further strain on McConnell and a fragmented Republican conference where traditionalist defense hawks clash with an isolationist faction which holds influence with former President Donald Trump.
Rounds Says He’ll Vote “No” on Moving to the Bill
Decision to abandon package will put Ukraine aid at serious risk and border policy into disarray as congressional Republicans face increased opposition in election year from within their own conference. McConnell assured his fellow party members behind closed doors that he personally supports pairing border and Ukraine measures into one bill; however, political climate has changed considerably since they started work on bill four months ago, particularly with Donald Trump whipping up immigration fears as he campaigns toward 2024 Republican nomination.
Rounds, who helped broker the original deal with Democrats, stated he will not support proceeding with a negotiated supplemental legislation this week because he does not believe that any measure can pass without including border security reforms included in its original proposal. But Rounds was confident he would reach an agreement with Schumer before Senate’s two-week recess takes place next week.
House Dynamics
After Republicans blocked a bipartisan border deal, Chuck Schumer proposed a modified proposal that provides aid to Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan without including provisions related to borders – although it remains uncertain whether he can gather enough votes in support of such legislation.
Senate senators have been locked in an impasse for hours as they try to find common ground on funding legislation for Ukraine, Israel and their allies. Meanwhile, Kyiv is running out of supplies needed to defend itself against Russian incursions; Geoff Bennett explained what’s at stake here.
McConnell wants to avoid an internal showdown between his caucus and himself on foreign policy matters, while simultaneously making sure that the House can move ahead on legislation to address Russia and the Middle East before August recess. House members tend to support an aid package targeting Russia and Middle East issues; however, conservative lawmakers will likely oppose further U.S. military assistance for Ukraine while budget rules may preclude its consideration at an official vote.
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