Senate awaits hard-fought border deal

The Senate is awaiting news this week on a border deal that has been in high-level negotiations for months.

Leaders hope to start considering the impending deal soon, although its chances of passing in the House are slim.

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer of New York told attendees at last week's White House meeting that he aims to begin consideration of the Ukraine border bill as early as this week, people familiar with the matter said. punch bowl newsSenate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) said last week that he expected Congress to advance the bill this week.

These high hopes and optimism come even as negotiators struggle to find agreement on the issue of parole, which lawmakers say is a major stalemate in negotiations. And even before details are made public, leaders remain confident, even as House conservatives and former President Trump urge Speaker Mike Johnson (R-Louisiana) to reject the deal. It oozes. Prime Minister Boris Johnson himself has expressed opposition to the looming deal.

Also this week, the House Oversight and Judiciary Committees held interviews with two former business associates of Hunter Biden, as Republicans on the committees prepare for depositions with the younger Biden next month. We plan to transcribe the interview.

Senate leaders focus on considering border deal

All eyes are on the Senate this week as we wait to see if a bipartisan group in the Senate can strike a long-awaited agreement on border security that would lift the ban on aid to Ukraine.

The waiting game, and leaders' hopes that consideration of a deal could begin this week, comes days after President Biden said the U.S.-Mexico border has not been secure for a decade. , the remarks could increase pressure on senators to reach a deal. The politically thorny issue of border security.

Asked if the U.S.-Mexico border is secure, Biden said, “No, it's not,” adding, “I don't believe that for the last 10 years, and I've said that for the last 10 years.” Please give me money. “

But many hurdles remain as lawmakers work to address the situation at the southern border.

High on the list is the issue of parole, which key members say is a deadlock in negotiations. Democrats have indicated they do not want to put the issue on the negotiating table, but Republicans say any final deal must include changes to parole policy in addition to changes to asylum procedures already agreed to. claims.

Furthermore, due to the power dynamics in the House of Representatives and the firm opposition of conservatives, it is unlikely that the compromise bill will proceed in the Senate.

“If this bill is anything like some of the things that are being talked about, then of course it will die in the House of Commons because it won't solve the problem,” Johnson told CNN's Caitlan Collins last week. Ta. “I don't think now is the time for comprehensive immigration reform,” he said at a press conference. Conservatives are warning against compromise.

In addition, President Trump wrote last week: society of truth “I just don't think we should have a border agreement unless we have everything we need to stop the invasion of millions and millions of people.” This message is echoed by some conservatives. may reject the Senate's compromise.

The House's opposition to the Senate deal deals a blow to Senate negotiators who have been negotiating the border for months. It will also pose questions for the future of aid to Ukraine, especially as the civil war approaches its second anniversary next month.

Democrats are already preparing to hold House Republicans accountable if they reject the Senate agreement.

“President Biden has called for involvement and leadership from Congress,” Sen. Chris Coons (D-Delaware) said Sunday on CNN's “State of the Union.” “And if House Republicans refuse to take up, consider, and pass this bill, we will have another year of millions of people struggling to get to the southern border, only to be turned away or ultimately deported.” will be responsible for the

House Republicans move forward with impeachment inquiry

House Republicans on the Oversight and Judiciary committees this week transcribed interviews with two of Hunter Biden's former business associates, even though most members are out of Washington for recess. An impeachment investigation is underway against him.

Marvin Yang, an executive at Chinese energy company CEFC, Hunter Biden reported. butted heads He is scheduled to meet with the committee this week to discuss reimbursement of expenses. in november letterOversight Committee Chairman James Comer (R-Ky.) and Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) said the committee had received “regarding Mr. Yang's relationship with the Biden family and CEFC officials.'' “We are seeking further information.''

Rob Walker, Hunter Biden's former business partner, is also scheduled to appear before lawmakers.

in november letter Mr. Jordan and Mr. Comer called him to testify and outlined an LLC he founded that was “used as a vehicle to receive foreign funds and transfer a portion of those funds to members of the Biden family.” claims. But lawmakers already have important information about Walker. The FBI questioned Walker in 2020, and President Biden said he had little insight into Hunter Biden's involvement in his business dealings.

The interview came days after Comer and Jordan announced that Hunter Biden would appear in a private deposition on February 28th. The date followed months of back and forth between the committee and Hunter Biden's team after Biden said he would only testify. Testify in a public hearing rather than behind closed doors. But earlier this month, he said he intended to take a deposition and urged both sides to set a date.