By Josh Wingrove, Billy House and Erik Wasson
President Joe Biden and House Speaker Mike Johnson will try during a crucial White House meeting to break a months-long stalemate over US border policies that has delayed funding for Ukraine and Israel.
Wednesday’s sit-down, the first in-person meeting between Biden and congressional leaders in months, comes as Republicans demand a crackdown at the US-Mexico border in exchange for supporting the president’s $110 billion emergency spending request.
The standoff carries high stakes for the US’s global standing, as well as political implications for Biden and Johnson.
For Biden, a border deal could help neutralize one of his biggest political weaknesses ahead of the 2024 election. Voters want tighter restrictions on undocumented migrants and rank Biden’s handling of the issue poorly, polls show.
Johnson, meanwhile, is pushing border policies favored by conservatives as he tries to quell a GOP rebellion amid continued threats to his speakership. Georgia Republican Marjorie Taylor Greene told reporters Wednesday she would move for a vote to oust Johnson if he approves more Ukraine funding.
“Border, border, border,” Johnson said Wednesday of any deal on Ukraine. “We have to secure our own house.”
Biden has repeatedly said he’ll compromise on border policy, but has not specified any concessions. A bipartisan group of lawmakers has discussed policies making it harder for migrants to seek asylum in the US, which the White House has suggested it could consider.
“I remain hopeful that things are going in the right direction,” Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, who will join the meeting, said Wednesday. “President Biden has made clear he is willing to work with Republicans on border security.”
Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, another invitee, told reporters he anticipates a supplemental package with Ukraine assistance will be on the floor of the chamber next week.
Some Republicans demand restrictions on the president’s use of humanitarian parole, which has allowed many people fleeing poverty and violence in South America as well as war zones in Ukraine and Afghanistan to legally enter the US. They also demand a border wall and other policies Democrats oppose.
Immigration has emerged as a top concern for voters as the election intensifies. Some four in 10 Iowa Republican voters ahead of Monday’s caucuses ranked immigration as the most important issue facing the US, according to AP VoteCast, more than those who chose the economy.
Meanwhile, the White House has warned that failure to send Ukraine fresh aid amounts to a victory for Russia, which invaded the country in 2022.
At the meeting, Johnson will face Biden, the Democratic leaders of the Senate and House, McConnell and the Republican and Democratic leaders of national security panels. Those officials argue maintaining support for Ukraine is essential to maintaining US credibility as a global superpower.
“It will be stacked up so he is the only guy that’s arguing for a disciplined approach to shut the border,” Representative Dan Bishop of North Carolina, said.
The talks also come as Congress races to pass a temporary spending bill that would avert a partial government shutdown. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen called on lawmakers to clear the measure, which will need Democratic votes to pass the House over objections from Johnson’s conservative flank. Talks are also ongoing on a potential tax deal.
Source: Orange County Register
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