Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said Wednesday that negotiators are working hard to “reauthorize aid to Ukraine” and approve increased border security, but some provisions are “still outstanding.” said.
“One thing is for sure, we will continue to work to get this done,” Schumer (D-N.Y.) said in a speech on the floor. “If we don't act, Ukraine will collapse. … And ordinary Americans will feel the effects in months, not years.”
The $106 billion in national security aid that President Biden proposed in October includes support for U.S. security in the Indo-Pacific, military aid to Israel during its war with Hamas, and aid to Ukraine, the Jewish state, and the Gaza Strip. It also includes funding for humanitarian aid. .
The plan includes $61.4 billion in aid to Ukraine, which marks the second anniversary of the Russian invasion, $14.3 billion to Israel, $13.6 billion to strengthen border security and $10 billion in humanitarian aid.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy told House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-Louisiana) in December that his country was not in immediate need of aid until February. This contradicts White House statements that funding will run out by the end of 2023.
The Pentagon on Dec. 27 allocated another $250 million to help Kiev restock artillery shells, anti-aircraft missiles and other weapons, but Mr. Schumer said Wednesday that Russia has no plans to sell its own munitions. Russian President Vladimir Putin stressed that he was “smiling'' that further aid has stalled as the country continues to replenish supplies. Aid from North Korea.
Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) joined with Schumer to push for funding for Ukraine's war against Russia, despite opposition from right-wing Republicans who want to secure the border first.
“This is in no way about philanthropy,” McConnell told colleagues Wednesday morning. “It's not about virtue-signaling or abstract principles of international relations. It's about ruthless, tough American interests.”
He pointed out that President Putin's re-election campaign has raised the slogan, “Russia's borders do not end anywhere,'' and added, “The fact that authoritarians are not free to use force to redraw the map is a direct result of the U.S. It will be profitable,” he added.
Conservatives have expressed skepticism about the bill, fearing that leaders will be blocked from rushing a vote before debating the biggest legal overhaul of immigration policy since 1986. ing.
Sen. Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) told the Post on Monday that Schumer wanted to “vote on something this week,” which “is never a good way for transparency.” Ta.
“I have consistently said from day one that I would not vote to legalize illegal immigration,” Blackburn said, rattling off policies and innovations that would lead to a surge in border crossings under the Biden administration. He denied it.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection has apprehended more than 8.5 million immigrants since January 2021, 7 million of which occurred at the southern border. At least 1.5 million more completely escape detection.
Some 85% of asylum seekers have since been released into the United States, according to reports, but Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas faces possible House impeachment for his alleged mishandling of the crisis. admitted that.
Sen. Bill Hagerty (R-Tenn.) said, “The only language I've ever seen regarding the supplemental request was that the White House requested the ability to 'reprogram.' he told Fox Business. on wednesday.
“This is what Washington is saying about upending the entire government budget.” [Immigration and Customs Enforcement]”To transform ICE from a law enforcement agency to a resettlement agency,” he added. “They are so disrespectful. It's pathetic.”
Sen. James Lankford (R-Okla.), who has been leading negotiations with Sens. Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) and Kyrsten Sinema (Ir., Ariz.), told reporters Tuesday. , said the full text of the bill could be made public. this week.
A vote could come in the next few days, and the bill would need 60 senators to pass.
Mr. Schumer and the White House accused hardline Republican senators and Mr. Johnson of halting the party's progress as the House speaker faces intense pressure from the right wing of his caucus.
“Both sides have to accept that they're not going to get everything they want,” Schumer warned. “That means that extremist demands, obstructionist tactics and attempts to sabotage negotiations before they are concluded must be avoided by members of this body.”
Mr. Johnson said in a statement Tuesday that Mr. Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris “cannot be trusted to solve a disaster of their own making.”
“Vice President Harris has had three years to secure our borders and stop the open flow of illegal immigrants into our country,” he said. Recent CNN interview Harris's.
“But when asked about solutions, she recommended that Congress grant large-scale amnesties and spend taxpayers' money processing more illegal offenders rather than stopping them.” “The plan is to spend billions of additional taxpayer dollars and encourage lawlessness and chaos,” Johnson added.
“Their idea is to attract millions more aliens, cause more suffering, and further abandon America's national and economic security.”
