Issue of funding Ukraine to be considered next week – Senate Republican Leader

Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell expects the Senate to consider a bipartisan deal on Ukraine and border security funding next week.

Source: The Hill

Details: McConnell noted that Democrats control the Senate agenda, but he expressed confidence that negotiators will unveil a border security deal in the coming days: "My assumption is we’re likely to be on that in the Senate next week."

The disagreement over President Joe Biden's authority to grant humanitarian parole to migrants detained at the country's southern border remains a stumbling block.

At the same time, McConnell said that Republican MPs should not miss the opportunity to pass a package of laws aimed at addressing national security threats, reforming asylum laws and the administration's authority to deport migrants from the country: "This is a unique opportunity to accomplish something in divided government that wouldn’t be there under unified government."

McConnell also acknowledged that the Biden administration and Senate Democrats would have to make concessions on the issue of humanitarian parole for illegal migrants, but expressed confidence that both sides would eventually reach a compromise: "We’re hoping to get a credible border package. I anticipate that will be before us next week."

At the same time, McConnell did not rule out that even if the Republicans gain control of the White House, Senate and House of Representatives after the 2024 elections, they will likely not be able to implement border security reforms, as Democrats will block them in the Senate, where 60 votes are required to pass most laws.

Senate Democratic Majority Leader Chuck Schumer echoed McConnell's confidence in reaching a deal, saying that "we are closer than we have ever been."

The package will include more than US$60 billion in aid for Ukraine, US$14 billion for Israel, and US$14 billion to help secure the border and protect it against migrants coming into the country from the south.

Support UP or become our patron!