McConnell expects Senate to take up Ukraine-border security package next week

Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky told reporters Wednesday that he expects the Senate to consider a bipartisan agreement on Ukraine funding and border security next week.

McConnell said he was confident negotiators would release a border security deal in the coming days, although Democrats controlled the Senate's agenda.

“My guess is that the Senate will likely debate this next week,” he announced.

Republican leaders say the remaining sticking point is disagreement over President Biden's authority to parole and admit migrants encountered at the southern border.

But McConnell argued that Republicans should not miss the opportunity to pass a package that addresses national security threats and reforms asylum laws and the administration's expulsion powers.

“This is a unique opportunity to accomplish something under a divided government that would not exist under a unified government,” he said.

Republican leaders acknowledged that the Biden administration and Senate Democrats would need to make more concessions on the parole issue, but seemed confident that both sides would eventually come up with a compromise.

“We're hopeful that we can get a reliable border package,” he said, adding: “We expect to get that next week.”