Negotiators finalized parts of the bipartisan border deal and sent it to the Senate Appropriations Committee to see how the new policy would be funded. But lawmakers say the projected cost exceeds the $14 billion allocated in President Biden's additional national security border request.
Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine), vice chair of the Appropriations Committee, told reporters that since the Appropriations Committee received the portion of the asylum deal Monday afternoon, the amount was “an error.” He said he expected it to exceed $14 billion. He did not say how much more it would cost, but Senate Republican Sen. John Thune, D-R.S., added that the cost is currently being discussed.
Border negotiations between lawmakers and Biden administration officials that would allow for billions of dollars in aid to Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan remain unresolved, with leading Republicans announcing plans this week. He said he did not expect a vote. It is unclear when a deal will be finalized, but it is likely to face a tough battle if it passes the Senate and moves into the Republican-controlled House.
Democratic lead negotiator Sen. Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) told reporters Monday that “we can't create money and new programming and not provide funding.” “So if we’re going to work on policy change, we have to be just as committed to funding policy change.”
Sen.Marshall urges Republicans to say 'absolute no' to request for additional funding without strengthening border security
Asylum seekers line up in front of the historic Roosevelt Hotel in New York City on September 27, 2023. The hotel was converted into a city-run shelter for newly arrived immigrant families. (Selcuk Achar/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)
“Nor can the embezzler try to change the agreement,” he added. “We've worked hard to get where we are, so we have to sell the caucus deal, but we can't re-litigate it in the Appropriations Committee.”
Sen. James Lankford (R-Okla.), the top Republican negotiator, said Monday that it would take “significant effort” to bring the bill to a vote this week as lawmakers hope, adding that Republicans have He acknowledged that “it will take several days to reach an agreement.'' You'll be able to overcome it. ”
Sen. Mike Lee (R-Utah) said X He posted that there is a possibility that the policy will not see the light of day. Even more that day. The Senate is also scheduled to adjourn on February 9, putting pressure on lawmakers to reach a deal by then.
And on Wednesday, lawmakers will convene a closed-door Senate Republican meeting to discuss additional aid to Ukraine, since the amount of money the White House can send without congressional approval has already been depleted. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D.Y.) Opposition voices within the Republican Party argue that support for Ukraine and border security should be voted on separately. Despite this, they remain in sync on the combination of support for Ukraine and border security.
White House funding request includes $14 billion for border as crisis reaches new record
President Biden and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy visit St. Michael's Cathedral during the Russian attack on Kiev on February 20, 2023. (Reuters/Gleb Galanich)
“My colleagues continue to work to complete the most substantial border security policy in 30 years,” McConnell said on the floor. “This agreement could be reached very quickly.”
“U.S. allies expect us to lead by example, provide decisive capabilities to Ukraine, and step up our investments in updating our weapons and expanding our stockpile capabilities,” he added. .
Sen. Kyrsten Sinema (Ariz.), another key negotiator, told reporters that no timeline has been set but negotiations continue to progress.
A major sticking point for the bipartisan negotiating group is parole, a vital border policy that allows illegal immigrants to temporarily reside in the United States and obtain green cards.that expanded Under the Biden administration, 30,000 nationals from four countries are allowed to fly into the United States each month and receive parole, part of the administration's strategy to address the continuing crisis at the southern border. .
Meanwhile, Republican lawmakers outside the closed-door talks are growing anxious without seeing a border deal in writing. Sen. Josh Hawley (R-Missouri), a critic of additional aid to Ukraine, told reporters on Monday: “They told me this was the best deal in the world, but no one saw a piece of paper. There is no such thing,” he said. ”
Both Mr. Hawley and Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.). – Another hawk who opposes expanding foreign aid without increased oversight – said there was talk of the bill text allowing up to 5,000 border crossings a day before penalties kick in.
WATCH: Migrants seek asylum on a cold January night as CBP union leaders talk about border crisis
Sen. Josh Hawley speaks at the Capitol on February 28, 2023 in Washington. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Senator)
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“I'm not going to vote for 50,000 green cards a year,” Hawley said. “I'm not going to vote for 5,000 border crossings a day before we close the border. I mean, absolutely no.”
“If you have 5,000 people a day, that's 1.8 million people,” Paul said.
“I just don't support 1.8 million people coming across the border,” Paul said. “I think there's a national security issue with this. The other thing is, they're talking about a bill instead of sending another $60 billion to Ukraine, and I don't agree with that.”
of white house Additional requests submitted to Congress in October include $61.4 billion for Ukraine, $14.3 billion for Israel (with $10.6 billion earmarked for military aid), $13.6 billion for some border security provisions, and Indo-Pacific security provisions. Includes significant investments in protection assistance, totaling approximately $7.4 billion. In addition, $9 billion has been allocated for humanitarian aid to Ukraine, Israel, and Gaza.
FOX News' Tyler Olson and Chad Pergram contributed to this report.
