The US Congress has less and less time to pass a new aid package to Ukraine.
That’s where senators tried to reach an agreement over the weekend to fund border security in exchange for Republican support.
Democratic Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer acknowledged that negotiations will take time.
“Everyone knows that something should be done to fix our broken immigration system, But we can’t do so by compromising our values. Finding the middle ground is exceptionally hard,” Schumer said Monday.
“I am encouraged by our colleagues’ commitment to keep making steady progress in their negotiations over the coming week and beyond,” said Republican Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, making it clear that no quick agreement was expected.
McConnell on border security-foreign aid talks: "I am encouraged by our colleagues’ commitment to keep making steady progress in their negotiations over the coming week and beyond…There is simply no room for falling short, here. We cannot afford to get this wrong.”
— Craig Caplan (@CraigCaplan) December 18, 2023
The US has already committed more than $100 billion to arm and support Ukraine since the full-scale Russian military operation began in February 2022, and President Joe Biden has asked Congress for another $60 billion.
But congressional Republicans are increasingly doubtful about continued support for Ukraine’s defense.
In recent weeks, Senate Republicans have linked approval of additional financial aid to Ukraine to tougher immigration rules.
They say the rules should be aimed at reducing the number of people entering the US through the southern border and expelling some of those already in the country.
A group of lawmakers from both parties is working with Biden administration officials to try to hammer out an agreement that has enough bipartisan support.
The Senate was supposed to hold its last meeting of the year on December 14, but the House changed its schedule to continue negotiations. The House of Representatives adjourned until the end of the year but could reconvene for a vote if an agreement is reached.
However, as of Monday morning, no agreement had yet been reached and a vote was looking increasingly unlikely.
Even if the agreement is approved by the Senate, it will likely fail in the House of Representatives, where Republicans have a slim majority.
A significant group of Republican congressmen opposes additional aid to Ukraine, and the party recently removed a speaker who had worked with Democrats on the issue.
