Bipartisan $118.2 Billion Border Deal on the Verge of Collapse Pre-Senate Vote

Despite bipartisan efforts, a significant border agreement and foreign aid package is likely to be defeated in the Senate later this week. This comes just a day following its introduction, as it faces intense criticism from ex-President Donald Trump and leading House Republicans.

Already Doomed Deal?

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Republicans, including Trump, criticize it for being too lenient, although it would introduce major changes to immigration law and grant the president broad powers to limit illegal immigration at the southern border.

Allies Await Decision

This development places aid to Ukraine and Israel, two crucial US allies, at risk, with uncertainty looming over Congress’s ability to separately pass the foreign aid. House Speaker Mike Johnson has already declared the border deal ‘dead on arrival’ in the House.

On the Brink of Failure

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With just 41 senators needed to vote against it in a key procedural vote on Wednesday, and 23 senators already publicly opposing it, the proposal seems already doomed.

“I think the proposal is dead,” stated Republican Senator Roger Wicker of Mississippi, commenting on the border bill after exiting a meeting in Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell’s office on Monday.

Advice to GOP Senators

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, a key figure in negotiating the deal, advised Republican senators to vote as they see fit in Wednesday’s critical procedural vote on the bill, a Republican insider reported.

Rushed Decision?

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Many GOP senators feel Wednesday is too soon, needing more time to analyze the complex package introduced Sunday night. Consequently, McConnell suggested senators vote against proceeding with the measure, thereby halting its progression to floor debate.

Doubts on Border Bill

Senator James Lankford, the principal GOP negotiator, expressed doubts on Monday night about the bill’s chances of advancing on Wednesday, highlighting a lack of sufficient support.

Vote ‘No’ for More Time?

The Oklahoma Republican hesitated to reveal his own voting intentions for Wednesday, emphasizing that a ‘no’ vote from him would be to allow more time for review and discussion, with the aim of ensuring the bill’s eventual success.

Confidence in Own Bill

Lankford stated, “I’m not undecided on my own bill. I think it’s a good thing to be able to do. The biggest issue that I have is obviously I’ve got a lot of members that have questions on it.”

“It’s not going to move and become law if we try to be able to force this right now on it.”

Bill’s Hefty $118.2 Billion Tag

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The proposed legislation amounts to $118.2 billion, with a significant portion — $60 billion — dedicated to bolstering Ukraine’s defense capabilities. Furthermore, the package allocates $14.1 billion for Israel and an additional $20 billion for security measures along the U.S.-Mexico border.

Biden Ready to Negotiate

According to a report by The Wall Street Journal on January 18, President Joe Biden is prepared to negotiate on U.S. border policies to facilitate the passage of this funding package.

Should the bill be enacted, it would introduce stringent limitations on immigration and asylum processes at the southern border.

Major Step in National Security?

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer hailed the agreement as ‘a monumental step towards strengthening America’s national security abroad and along our border,’ emphasizing its far-reaching impact on both international and domestic security.

Detaching Israel’s Aid

House Speaker Mike Johnson announced on Saturday a plan to hold a vote on a separate bill for Israel’s aid this week, intensifying pressure on senators to detach Israel’s aid from other contentious issues.

However, in a twist, the White House declared on Monday that President Joe Biden would veto such a standalone aid bill for Israel.

Months of Bipartisan Efforts

The White House emphasized in a statement that the Administration had ‘spent months’ collaborating with a bipartisan group of Senators to forge a national security agreement, which not only ‘secures the border’ but also ‘provides support for the people of Ukraine and Israel,’ while offering the ‘much-needed’ humanitarian aid globally.

A ‘cynical political maneuver’

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The statement added, “Instead of working in good faith to address the most pressing national security challenges, this bill is another cynical political maneuver.”

Senate’s Lean Towards ‘No’

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Twenty GOP senators, including leadership members like Montana’s Steve Daines and senior Republican John Cornyn of Texas, have expressed serious concerns about the bill. Most Senate Republicans lean towards voting ‘no’ in the initial procedural vote.

Uncertain Future

Senate Republican Whip John Thune, still undecided, acknowledges the complexity added by House GOP leaders’ opposition and the need for more debate time, as suggested by South Dakota Senator Mike Rounds. Meanwhile, Democratic Senators Bob Menendez and Alex Padilla strongly oppose the bill.