Barrasso calls GOP meeting amid border deal tensions
Senate Republicans Divided Over Bipartisan Border Security Deal
Senate Republican Conference Chairman John Barrasso (R-WY) is taking action as his party faces internal divisions over whether to embrace a bipartisan border security deal. Barrasso has organized a meeting with his GOP colleagues to address concerns raised by 15 Republican senators who are skeptical about combining border measures with assistance bills for Ukraine, Taiwan, and Israel.
Concerns About Border Policy Changes
The group of senators plans to express their concerns about securing a deal that includes legitimate and meaningful changes to border policy. Barrasso, a leading advocate for border security since President Biden took office, welcomed the request for a meeting on this topic.
Barrasso has been actively supporting the Senate’s version of H.R. 2, the House Republicans’ signature border bill, and has been rallying support among his colleagues since March 2021. He has also made multiple trips to the southern border to witness the record numbers of illegal migrant crossings.
Debate Over Aid to Ukraine and Israel
While the majority of Senate Republicans support aid to Israel, there is a vocal part of the conference that strongly opposes providing assistance to Ukraine. This disagreement has led to discussions about separating Israel aid from a larger bill to allow members who support it but oppose Ukraine funding to vote accordingly.
Additionally, Republicans are debating how to approach the bipartisan border negotiations, which will be the main focus of Wednesday’s meeting.
Negotiations for a Border Security Deal
A bipartisan group of senators has been negotiating a border security deal for over a month. This deal would be added to a defense spending bill that includes aid for Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan. Both sides recognize the importance of the border measure in passing the legislation through both chambers.
Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY), a strong ally of Ukraine, has expressed support for the larger supplemental bill as long as it includes “credible” border policy changes.
Sens. James Lankford (R-OK) and Chris Murphy (D-CT) have been leading the negotiations, focusing on changes to federal asylum policy and the Biden administration’s use of humanitarian parole authority. Sen. Kyrsten Sinema (I-AZ) has also been heavily involved in the talks.
There have been reports of the White House offering to establish a new border expulsion law and increase mandatory detention rates as part of the negotiations, although no official confirmation has been made.
Meeting Details and Concerns
Sen. Lankford is expected to provide an update on the status of the talks at the beginning of the meeting. Senators will then have the opportunity to ask questions and voice their concerns about the legislation and the border issue.
Sen. Eric Schmitt (R-MO), one of the senators who requested the meeting, emphasized the need to review the legislative language before making any decisions. He stated that Republicans must be willing to walk away from the negotiating table if they do not get a favorable deal.
Remaining United on Border Security
Sen. Kevin Cramer (R-ND) expressed confidence that the GOP will remain united on policy and strategy regarding the border issue. He believes that GOP leadership will block any supplemental bill that lacks sufficient policy changes. Cramer also emphasized the importance of leveraging the current situation to prioritize border security.
Read more from the Washington Examiner here.
How could combining the border security deal with assistance bills for Ukraine, Taiwan, and Israel potentially complicate the negotiations and delay the passing of the bill?
S funding for Ukraine, Taiwan, and Israel. The negotiations have focused on finding a compromise on border security measures that both parties can agree on.
The border security deal aims to address the ongoing challenges at the southern border, including the increase in illegal migrant crossings. Republicans have been pushing for stronger border security measures to ensure the safety of American citizens and to prevent further illegal immigration. However, there are concerns among some Republican senators that combining the border security deal with assistance for Ukraine, Taiwan, and Israel may complicate the negotiations and delay the passing of the bill.
The group of skeptical Republican senators is particularly concerned about the potential impact of combining these different issues into one bill. They worry that the inclusion of assistance for Ukraine, Taiwan, and Israel could distract from the focus on border security and deter bipartisan support for the overall bill. They believe that separating the aid for Israel from the other assistance bills may allow for a more streamlined and efficient passage of the legislation.
Senator Barrasso has recognized the concerns raised by his Republican colleagues and organized a meeting to address these issues. He welcomes the opportunity to discuss and find a resolution that ensures legitimate and meaningful changes to border policy while also addressing the concerns surrounding assistance bills for Ukraine, Taiwan, and Israel.
Senator Barrasso has been a vocal advocate for border security since President Biden took office. He has been actively supporting the Senate’s version of H.R. 2, the House Republicans’ signature border bill. He has also made multiple trips to the southern border to witness the record numbers of illegal migrant crossings firsthand. His dedication to border security and his understanding of the challenges faced at the border make him a key figure in the ongoing negotiations.
The upcoming meeting of Senate Republicans will provide an opportunity for the concerned senators to voice their opinions and for the party to find common ground. The discussions will focus on how to approach the bipartisan border negotiations and how to navigate the challenges posed by combining the border security deal with assistance for Ukraine, Taiwan, and Israel. Finding a solution that satisfies all sides of the party will be crucial in moving forward and achieving meaningful changes to border policy.
Overall, Senate Republicans are divided over the bipartisan border security deal. The concerns about combining border measures with assistance bills for Ukraine, Taiwan, and Israel have led to internal divisions within the party. However, the upcoming meeting organized by Senator Barrasso aims to address these concerns and find a resolution that ensures legitimate changes to border policy while also providing necessary assistance to Ukraine, Taiwan, and Israel. The negotiations for a border security deal have been ongoing for over a month, and finding a compromise that satisfies all parties involved will be crucial in moving forward with this vital legislation.
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