Van Hollen says he ‘hopes’ negotiations over Senate border security package are progressing

Sen. Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) on Sunday said he “hopes” negotiations over a border security and foreign aid package are progressing as the Senate is expected to come back this week to continue negotiations on a deal to unlock aid for Ukraine, Israel and border security measures.

Pressed on ABC News’s “This Week” if he has a sense of the status of the negotiations, Van Hollen said, “They’ve been very tight-lipped understandably about where they are. But they say they’re making progress. I hope that’s the case.”

Bipartisan talks between Senate lawmakers and White House negotiators continued throughout the weekend, though it’s unclear how close any potential deal is on the horizon. Aid for Ukraine in its fight against Russia has remained stalled, with Republican lawmakers arguing additional support for the war-torn country hinges on new border security provisions.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) announced the Senate will return this week in hopes of a striking a deal before the end of the year, but uncertainty remains.

“I think it’s essential that we provide military assistance to Ukraine,” Van Hollen said Sunday. “This is a pivotal moment in American leadership and history, and we need to make sure that we help our Ukrainian friends against [Russian President Vladimir Putin’s] aggression, not just to protect their freedom, but because it would send a terrible signal around the world to our allies who would no longer trust us, and to our adversaries, who would be emboldened if we’re not doing that.”

Van Hollen did not speak directly on his feelings about the border security aspect of the potential deal, saying he has to “look at the details.”

“The big question is … who’s at the table on the Republican side?” Van Hollen said. “I don’t mean the individual, but are they really working with the president to try to get border security? Because the president has proposed historical increases in resources for border security.”