Fate of US aid to Ukraine in balance as Republicans press border issue

Republicans and Biden's fellow Democrats in the Senate and House of Representatives have been debating for weeks over Biden's October request that Congress approve $106 billion for Ukraine, Israel, security at the U.S. border with Mexico and U.S. interests in the Indo-Pacific. House Speaker Mike Johnson, a Republican, says funds for Ukraine, which was invaded by Russia in February 2022, must be tied to "transformative change" in U.S. immigration policy.

Republican U.S. congressional leaders insisted on Tuesday that any new aid for Ukraine be combined with major changes in immigration policy, threatening to derail President Joe Biden's request for billions of dollars for Kyiv's fight against Russia. Republicans and Biden's fellow Democrats in the Senate and House of Representatives have been debating for weeks over Biden's October request that Congress approve $106 billion for Ukraine, Israel, security at the U.S. border with Mexico and U.S. interests in the Indo-Pacific.

House Speaker Mike Johnson, a Republican, says funds for Ukraine, which was invaded by Russia in February 2022, must be tied to "transformative change" in U.S. immigration policy. On Tuesday, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said he would try to break the impasse by offering Republicans the chance to add an amendment on border policy on legislation including aid to Ukraine and Israel.

"Let's remember here: It was the Republicans who put border on the table. We did not. They have a responsibility if they believe border should be part of Ukraine, which is so vital to our country, let them propose an amendment that can get 60 votes," Schumer told a weekly press conference. Senate rules dictate that most legislation requires 60 votes to advance in the 100-member chamber.

The Senate's top Republican, Mitch McConnell, who spoke right after Schumer made his amendment offer, said he would nonetheless urge Senate Republicans to vote against the Democratic-backed legislation. "We're serious about having some significant changes in how we protect our southern border as a part of the overall package," McConnell said.

HOUSE LEADER'S OBJECTIONS Earlier on Tuesday, Johnson released a letter demanding more information from Biden's administration about its strategy for Ukraine, and insisting on immigration policy changes as part of the bill.

"I reiterate that President Biden must satisfy Congressional oversight inquiries about the Administration's failure thus far to present clearly defined objectives, and its failure to provide essential weapons (for Ukraine) on a timely basis," Johnson wrote. According to Johnson's letter, he met with administration officials on Oct. 26 and said then "that supplemental Ukraine funding is dependent upon enactment of transformative change to our nation's border security laws."

Johnson's letter was a reply to one from White House budget director Shalanda Young on Monday in which she warned that Washington was running out of time and money to help Ukraine fight its war against Russia. Congress has approved about $113 billion for Ukraine since Russia's invasion, but it has not backed any new funds since Republicans took control of the House from Biden's fellow Democrats in January.

Amping up their push for more aid, top Biden administration officials conducted classified briefings on the situation in Ukraine for the House and Senate on Tuesday. Ukrainian officials have been making their own appeals for assistance. President Volodymyr Zelenskiy's chief of staff, Andriy Yermak, told a conference that the postponement of U.S. assistance for Kyiv being debated in Congress would create a "big risk" of Ukraine's losing the war with Russia.

Schumer told reporters that Zelenskiy had canceled plans to address lawmakers via remote linkup, due to unspecified scheduling conflicts.

(This story has not been edited by Devdiscourse staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)