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The upcoming vote scheduled by Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer for the week of December 4 is poised to address President Joe Biden’s plea for substantial financial assistance to Ukraine and Israel. Schumer’s strategic timing aims to catalyze progress in ongoing negotiations, particularly emphasizing the need for a border security deal that can align with the support required by the two U.S. allies.

The key hurdle in this process is the insistence of Senate Republicans on integrating border security policy changes into any supplementary spending bill. This approach is seen as a potential strategy to garner support from a House GOP majority that may be cautious about supporting aid to Ukraine. Schumer identifies this border demand as the primary obstacle, branding it the “biggest holdup” in delivering essential funds for Ukraine’s defense against Russia and Israel’s conflict with Hamas.

Expressing concern in a Dear Colleague letter to senators, Schumer describes how this border issue has injected a longstanding, hyper-partisan debate into matters that would otherwise enjoy overwhelming bipartisan support. The Democratic leader emphasizes the readiness of his 51-member caucus to collaborate on sensible immigration solutions. However, he warns that a hardline stance from the GOP could jeopardize the entire supplemental bill, urging for a more cooperative approach.

Schumer advocates for increased engagement between Democrats and Republicans to facilitate a deal, echoing his efforts just before the Thanksgiving recess. He anticipates potential long nights and weekends of work, emphasizing the importance of overcoming obstacles to pass the critical bill.

A bipartisan group, formed several weeks ago, is working towards a comprehensive deal that would not only meet Biden’s request for over $100 billion in aid to Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan but also incorporate changes to U.S. asylum and parole policy. The primary stumbling block prior to the Thanksgiving recess was asylum-related issues. Senators Kyrsten Sinema, James Lankford, Chris Murphy, Thom Tillis, Michael Bennet, and Lindsey Graham are deeply involved in these negotiations.

While there appears to be broad support for allocating significant funds to Ukraine, Republicans maintain their stance that a border security deal is necessary. They express concerns that Speaker Mike Johnson won’t consider a bill lacking such provisions. Schumer’s push for a Senate vote in early December serves as a deadline, recognizing the urgency of the situation. Congress has already passed spending bills this fall without including Ukraine aid, making the situation more challenging as the new year approaches.

In his letter, Schumer underlines the broader implications, stating, “Nothing would make autocrats like Putin or Xi happier right now than to see the United States waver in our support for the Ukrainian people and its military.” He emphasizes that this isn’t solely about Ukrainian or Transatlantic security but also about American security, cautioning against an unchecked Putin, who could be emboldened without adequate support.

To further address the gravity of the situation, Schumer announces an upcoming all-senators briefing on Ukraine, underscoring the need for collective understanding and action.
Source: Senate nears vote on Biden’s Ukraine request – POLITICO

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