In a move that could potentially shift the politics of immigration, U.S. President Joe Biden has called on Congress to embrace a bipartisan Senate deal that pairs border enforcement measures with aid for Ukraine. This comes after House of Representatives Speaker Mike Johnson expressed doubts about the compromise, suggesting it could be “dead on arrival” in his chamber.
President Biden, a Democrat, has stated that the proposed policies would be the “toughest and fairest set of reforms to secure the border we’ve ever had in our country.” He has also promised to use his emergency authority to “shut down the border” as soon as the legislation is signed into law.
The Senate deal, which initially faced opposition from Republicans including former President Donald Trump, includes funding for Ukraine, Israel, immigration enforcement, and other national security needs. However, it has come under fire from hardline conservatives who believe it does not go far enough in limiting immigration.
In a letter to his colleagues, Speaker Johnson, a Republican from Louisiana, aligned himself with these conservative voices and declared that the legislation would be “dead on arrival” in the House if the leaked reports about it were true.
The core group of senators negotiating the deal had hoped to release the text early next week, but the conservative backlash has put its prospects in jeopardy. The proposed measures include tougher standards for asylum seekers and denying asylum applications at the border if the number of daily migrant encounters becomes unmanageable for authorities.
Speaker Johnson’s stance has further complicated the situation, with Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell acknowledging that the deal faces tough opposition from Trump and may have to be pursued in a different manner. However, he clarified that he still supports pairing border measures with aid for Ukraine.
If the deal falls through, it could leave congressional leaders with no clear path to approving the much-needed funds for Ukraine. President Biden has made it a top priority to support Kyiv’s defense against Russia, but the lack of funding has left Ukrainian soldiers outgunned on the battlefield.
Senator James Lankford, the lead GOP negotiator in the border talks, has urged lawmakers to reserve their judgment on the bill until they receive the actual legislative text. He also clarified that some of the reports circulating in conservative media about the bill are not accurate depictions.
Speaker Johnson has long been skeptical of any bipartisan compromise on border policy. He once again pointed to a comprehensive immigration bill passed by the House last year as the solution to the nation’s border challenges. However, that bill failed to garner a single Democratic vote and has little chance of gaining their support now, which is necessary for it to clear the Senate.
As the country enters an election year, Republicans are keen to highlight the historic number of migrants arriving at the U.S. border during President Biden’s administration. The White House has attributed this to global unrest and has sought to implement more humane policies on border enforcement.
In a statement, President Biden emphasized that securing the border through these negotiations is a win for America. He urged those demanding tougher border control to support this bipartisan deal, stating that it is the way to achieve it.
In conclusion, the proposed Senate deal that pairs border enforcement measures with aid for Ukraine has faced resistance from both sides of the aisle. However, President Biden’s support for the compromise and his promise to use his emergency authority to secure the border should motivate Congress to come together and pass this legislation. It is a win for America, and it is time to put aside political differences and prioritize the safety and security of our nation.
