Senate stumbles into new border security stalemate holding up Israel and Ukraine aid

As lawmakers race to strike a deal before the end of the year that could unlock billions of dollars in aid to Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan, they are struggling to find consensus on U.S. border and immigration policies, a critical piece of the bill in order to gain Republican support in both chambers.

Senate Republicans want to see a crackdown on asylum at the U.S.-Mexico border in exchange for their support for President Joe Biden’s request for $106 billion that includes the emergency funding for Israel, Ukraine, and Taiwan as well as funding to strengthen the U.S.’s immigration system. The White House’s supplemental request also includes $14 billion for border security.

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Sens. Thom Tillis (R-NC), James Lankford (R-OK), Chris Murphy (D-CT), Michael Bennet (D-CO), Lindsey Graham (R-SC.) and Kyrsten Sinema (I-AZ) have been leading the latest round of border talks.

A key sticking point appears to be surrounding the GOP’s push to curb the use of humanitarian parole, a policy that allows the administration the authority to allow specific immigrants into the country temporarily.

Earlier this year, a group of Republican attorneys general, led by Texas, filed a lawsuit to end the humanitarian parole program, arguing that the administration overstepped its authority in utilizing the program. The case is still pending.

“I think we’ve reached a good place on asylum policy that I believe will reduce future flows,” said Tillis. “There has been no progress on parole.”

Senate Republicans are expected to meet with Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) on Wednesday to discuss a path forward, according to sources familiar.

“What I’m trying to explain to my colleagues on the other side of the aisle is that things have changed, this is a different Congress,” Tillis said. “They need to share our mutual goal in the Senate of getting something to the House that actually can pass.”

However, Democrats argue Republicans are asking for too much.

“I can’t tell if they actually want to get to an agreement,” said Murphy, who is negotiating on the Democratic side. “I think we have been willing to give a lot in these talks. We are way out of our traditional comfort zone. At some points, Republicans are going to have to say yes.”

Murphy emphasized Democrats are pushing to include some of their priorities but would not elaborate any further. According to those familiar with negotiations, Democrats are working to ensure there is enough funding to invest in case workers and immigration judges in an effort to speed up the process for those seeking asylum.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) still maintains he plans to hold a vote on the overall aid bill next week and is already placing blame on Republicans.

“Democrats are working on having a good faith conversation with Republicans on what both sides can agree on, on the border,” Schumer said, speaking with reporters on Tuesday. “You can know one thing for sure, that it’s the Republicans holding this up by their insistence on an extraneous and partisan issue that is always difficult to come to an agreement on.”

The New York senator dodged a question from a reporter asking whether he could be open to raising the asylum standard.

“We need a bipartisan bill. And we’re working hard to get it. Republicans are making it difficult,” he responded.

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Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) told reporters Tuesday that he called Biden last week and told him any aid for Israel and Ukraine must include a “credible effort” on border security.

“I hope that made the point. I think on our side, I’ve been most enthusiastic about the underlying bill, but this has to be part of it. It’s extremely important for it to be part of it,” McConnell said.