U.S. Senate to put border issue on hold, focus on aid to Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan, says Republican leader

The U.S. Senate needs to change course on the national security package and focus on providing foreign aid to Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan, CNN journalist Manu Raj reported on Feb. 6, citing Republican Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell.

The border issue should be put on hold, given the deep divisions within the Republican Party. The immigration and foreign aid package “will not become law,” due to the Speaker Mike Johnson’s opposition and concerns within the Senate GOP conference.

Read also: Trump blasts bipartisan border security bill with $60 billion for Ukraine, calling it ‘death wish’

“There are other parts of this supplemental that are extremely important as well: Ukraine, Israel, Taiwan. We still, in my view, ought to tackle the rest of it, because it’s important. Not that the border isn’t important, but we can’t get an outcome,” he said. “So that’s where I think we ought to head, and it’s up to Sen. Schumer to decide how to repackage this if in fact we don’t go on to it.”

The Republican leader also defended his handling of the negotiations, saying that he accomplished what members of his conference wanted by proposing serious changes to immigration law, tied to foreign aid.

“I followed the instructions of my conference who were insisting that we tackle this in October,” said McConnell.

Read also: Ukraine and Israel aid caught in crossfire of U.S. border dispute

“I mean, it’s actually our side that wanted to tackle the border issue. We started it. Obviously, with a Democratic President and a Democratic Senate, our negotiators had to deal with them.”

Pressed on whether Trump’s opposition is to blame for killing the package, McConnell refused to engage.

“I’ve said repeatedly every month, I’m not going to get into comments about the race for the presidency among Republicans,” he said.

Blocking aid to Ukraine: What is known

On Dec. 6, the bill funding aid to Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan for approximately $106 billion failed procedural voting in the US Senate due to Republican demands for stricter immigration policies. They sought to strengthen the border with Mexico and only consider it in connection with aid to Ukraine and Israel.

On Jan. 25, the Financial Times reported that Republicans, influenced by Trump, who demands the party reject a compromise on immigration, are succumbing.

On Jan. 31, in his first official address as Speaker, Johnson stated that the Senate agreement under discussion is not sufficient to prevent migrants from Mexico entering the US. He had previously hinted that he would not unblock aid to Ukraine, calling the Senate agreement “absolutely dead.”

On Feb. 5, the US Senate unveiled a $118 billion package, including $60 billion for Ukraine, $14 billion in aid to Israel, nearly $5 billion to allies in the Asia-Pacific region, $20 billion for strengthening immigration policy, and humanitarian aid to civilians in the Gaza Strip.

US President Joe Biden urged the House to promptly pass the bill.

Read also: Senate poised for February 7 vote on $118b global aid package with $60b for Kyiv, Ukraine envoy says

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