Rock and a hard place: GOP worried Biden accepting its proposal could help him in 2024

As Republicans in Congress look to tie Israel and Ukraine aid to border security funding, some are concerned that if President Joe Biden agrees to such a deal, it would help his campaign in 2024.

Several Republican lawmakers revealed worries to Politico over possibly helping Biden appeal to voters in the 2024 election if he were to get on board with a bill of this nature.

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“The current Ukraine and Israel aid negotiations offer Biden an opportunity to positively realign voter perceptions of his immigration policy,” Evan Roth Smith, research firm Blueprint’s head pollster, said in a statement. “Self-identified Democrats and independents both support a deal by an 8-point margin. These are the voters we need to win elections, and Biden would disappoint far more of them through inaction than he’d alienate through a well-structured deal on the border and foreign aid.”

The Republicans who acknowledged the increased palatability the deal could give Biden also noted there isn’t another option for them, as backing a deal pushing border security is integral to being an elected official in the GOP.

Despite this concern, some say Biden would never do it.

“I’m not worried because I’m not going to make a deal that’s going to be terrible — and I don’t think he’s going to be willing to make a deal that I will accept,” former Freedom Caucus Chairman Scott Perry (R-PA) said.

Rep. Chip Roy (R-TX) emphasized the importance of border legislation, whether it ends up helping political foes or not. “I’m not even gonna worry about that — it’s too important for the state of Texas and for this country,” he said.

“We’ve got to stop the flow. … Secure the border. If that helps Biden politically, so be it,” he added.

“[Biden] campaigned on restoring the soul of the nation and holding firm to our democratic values and the principles of our Founding Fathers. And that includes defending our asylum system and respectful treatment of refugees,” according to Sen. Alex Padilla (D-CA).

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During a recent press conference with the Congressional Progressive Caucus and the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, the groups’ leaders said they would oppose several policies under consideration as the legislative leaders negotiate between parties and with the White House. Per the Hispanic Caucus, Latino lawmakers have played a significant role in the negotiations.

White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre told reporters that the president’s administration is “encouraged” by the negotiations and their progress toward what she called a “bipartisan compromise.”