Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.), who was voted into the role five weeks ago, has rested Ukraine aid on the ability of Republicans to enact border reform.
But Republicans and Democrats remain at odds on a potential agreement, and GOP senators are openly expressing worries over whether they can secure a deal Johnson could bring to the House floor and be palatable to enough conservatives.
“Even if we get a majority of Republicans [in the Senate], it will be a steep hill for Speaker Johnson,” said Sen. Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), who is part of the bipartisan negotiating group. “There’s no question.”
The negotiators, led by Sens. James Lankford (R-Okla.) and Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), have met or talked consistently since before the Senate broke for the Thanksgiving recess and have reported progress in talks, specifically on asylum reform to lift the “credible fear” standard for migrants attempting to enter the country.
The group, though, has reached an impasse over how to deal with the humanitarian parole system that is used by some migrants. Tillis told The Hill on Tuesday there has been “no progress” on that front, which means the border component would not have the needed support in the Senate GOP conference, let alone across the Capitol complex with House conservatives.
Sen. Dick Durbin (Ill.), the No. 2 Democrat and a member of the 2013 comprehensive immigration reform push, indicated as much to reporters, saying he is unwilling to budge on the parole issue because it is a key portion of the Biden administration’s immigration and border policy.
“It’s very delicate,” Durbin said. “I agree with the president that that isn’t a likely addition to this debate.”
But giving members a boost in discussions is Johnson, who told reporters Monday he has been in touch with negotiators and has made clear that he backs giving aid to Ukraine despite the vocal crowd in his conference that is vehemently against doing so.
Senate Republicans increasingly believe Johnson’s role is crucial for them to strike a deal that can ultimately get across the finish line.
Read the full report at TheHill.com.
