Senate negotiators are close, however, they have not reached a deal on a supplemental foreign aid package. The package would also create border security and immigration reforms in the U.S. The principal lawmakers are working out the details and hope to have something to vote on within a week.
Republicans have been holding up the aid package, demanding changes to immigration parole and asylum. A group of 13 Democrats and counting want an amendment that requires aid recipients to cooperate with U.S. humanitarian efforts.
“Any nation receiving aid in the supplemental package, that would include Israel, Ukraine, Taiwan and probably others, would have to comply with international law and cooperate with U.S. humanitarian efforts,” Sen. Tim Kaine, D-Va., said. “So it’s an even-handed and reasonable amendment. No surprise we’re picking up more support.”
Once the final deal is released, it’s expected to pass on a bipartisan basis. Senate leadership wants to get it approved as quickly as possible. But it’s not yet clear how many votes it will ultimately receive.
“I think what Senator Lankford has been able to get Democrats to agree to is remarkable,” Sen. Kevin Cramer, R-N.D., said. “I just don’t know that it gets to the point of a confidence level that would allow a yes vote yet. Certainly, I want to be a yes vote. But I’m not a yes vote today.”
Cramer said getting to a yes will require stricter rules on immigration parole and better policy enforcement.
Republican leadership, including Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., is urging members to support this deal. GOP leaders contend it is the best they’ll get on immigration reform without Democrats insisting a pathway to citizenship and amnesty also be included. They also said it’s better than anything Democrats would agree to in a Trump administration.
To get this kind of border security without granting a pathway to citizenship is really unheard of.
Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C.
“To get this kind of border security without granting a pathway to citizenship is really unheard of. So if you think you’re going to get a better deal next time in ‘25 if President Trump’s president, Democrats will be expecting a pathway to citizenship for that,” Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., told reporters Jan. 17.
Straight Arrow News asked Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., what it is about this particular moment in time that makes this type of deal possible?
“I think the urgency of our aiding Ukraine and Israel increases the imperative to reach some kind of compromise on border security,” Blumenthal said. “But border security itself is an interest and it’s a national security goal that should bring us together.”
Getting the package through the House is another story.
Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., promised to make a motion to vote on removing Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., if he brings forward a package that includes Ukraine aid; although some Democrats said they’d rescue him if that happens.
House Republicans are keeping immigration in the spotlight as they push for even stricter border measures.
Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, sent a letter to Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas demanding information about his statements reported by Fox News that said the release rate for immigrants apprehended crossing the border is above 85%.
Jordan wants documents and communications from the department related to the releases and monthly updates going forward.
The Judiciary Committee also released data that shows there are at least 617,607 immigrants with criminal convictions or pending criminal charges who are listed as not-detained by ICE.
As of Dec. 10, 2023, there were 1,323,264 immigrants with final orders of removal who remained in the United States.
