Joe Biden has been left with a huge dilemma as Republican senators have threatened to vote against a $100billion aid package for Ukraine-Israel aid unless major border policy changes are included.
Should senators not pass the supplemental national security package, it is unlikely further aid will be sent until January.
According to top senators, border talks have stalled in recent months but Republicans are keen to remain at the negotiating table as GOP senators continue to back Ukraine aid.
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Iowa Senator Joni Ernst, who is an outspoken supporter of Ukraine aid, said she wanted to see additional funding for Ukraine, but warned “we have to have border” policy changes.
She added she would vote against advancing the aid if “we don’t have substantial changes” to border policy.
GOP senators have accused Biden of taking the border crisis for granted and argued the president could be inclined to cut an aggressive border security deal as the situation at the southern border threatens his reelection chances.
Senate Republican Whip John Thune described border talks as “in a bit of lull” and put the onus on Democrats to try and pass the bill before the holidays begin.
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Migrants crossing the US borderREUTERS“I don’t know. It’s really up the Democrats,” Thune said.
“They are in charge up here.
“I don’t think we do unless we have a border piece in it.”
One possible option to break the standoff would be for Majority Leader Chuck Schumer to advance the aid package without border policy changes.
Chuck Schumer has been accused of being 'missing in action' over the NYC migrant crisisTwitterThis way, Schumer would be daring Republicans to vote no to the Ukraine and Israel aid package which is seen by many as an important priority.
However, filing the package this way would also require nine GOP senators to rebel against their party which they signalled on Monday they would not do.
“It may require a failed cloture vote on the supplemental before Senator Schumer realizes we are serious,” Texas GOP Senator John Cornyn explained.
“I am opposed to moving forward on cloture,” West Virginia GOP Senator Shelley Moore Capito, said Monday.
“I’m not opposed to a national security supplemental at all, but it has to include our own national security at the border.”
