McConnell says border security ‘not a sideshow’ as Schumer blames GOP for failed Ukraine funding

Senate leaders remained at an impasse Monday over proposals to secure the U.S. southern border, despite continued negotiations on ending the logjam over a national security spending package for Israel, Ukraine and Taiwan. 

The stalemate comes as Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy will meet Tuesday with leaders in Washington, marking his most consequential visit as Congress struggles to pass more war aid.

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell accused President Biden and Democrats in Congress of wearing blinders when it comes to fixing the record flow of migrants across the U.S.-Mexico border.

“When it comes to keeping America safe, border security is not a sideshow. It’s ground zero,” the Kentucky Republican said in a floor speech. “Senate Republicans have no more spare time to explain this basic reality. We cannot convince anyone who doesn’t want to acknowledge the glaring facts on the ground. The Senate has to act.”

Senate Majority Leader Charles E. Schumer pointed the finger at Republicans for “insisting on Donald Trump’s border policies.”

“They will be at fault when a deal for Ukraine, Israel, and humanitarian aid to Gaza all fall apart,” the New York Democrat said. “Republicans would be giving Vladimir Putin the best gift he could ask for.”

Mr. Zelenskyy will have an all-senators meeting Tuesday morning on Capitol Hill, followed by a one-on-one session with House Speaker Mike Johnson. He will also meet with Mr. Biden at the White House.

Mr. Biden’s national security package failed in the Senate last week when it was blocked by Republicans. It would provide $110 billion that included roughly $60 billion for Ukraine. 

The U.S. has already approved $111 billion for Ukraine, money that will run dry by year’s end. But Congress is likely to punt any decision on additional money into next year as lawmakers head home for the holidays later this week. 

Republicans’ insistence for the inclusion of border security policies, coupled with Democrats’ refusal to address a problem that U.S. officials say jeopardizes national security, has created a weeks-long standoff.

White House Office of Management and Budget Director Shalanda Young urged Senate negotiators to quickly reach a resolution, but charged Republicans with asking for too much on border control. 

“You can’t have everything your way in a negotiation. Democrats and Republicans have to vote for this bill,” Ms. Young said Sunday on CBS’s “Face the Nation. “I agree, it’s time to cut a deal that both sides can agree to.”

Republicans’ latest proposal included several Trump-era border policies and changes to the asylum and parole processes that they say would slash the amount of illegal crossings and keep migrants out of the country while waiting for their day in immigration court. 

The offer included shutting down the border if crossings reach a certain threshold, reviving the so-called Title 42 pandemic policy to quickly turn back migrants before they cross, limit parole authority and require ankle monitoring for those who are allowed to leave detention centers, and an expedited removal authority that Mr. Biden rescinded. 

The Republican-controlled House passed a standalone aid bill for Israel last month, which Senate leaders have dismissed over their preference for a broader package. Mr. Johnson, Louisiana Republican, is open to such legislation but warned there are hurdles among his conservative members over Ukraine funding. 

Some Senate Democrats acknowledge the situation at the U.S.-Mexico border is dire. 

During a trip to Guatemala over the weekend by Senate Democrats to learn more about the migration crisis, second-ranking Senate Democrat Dick Durbin of Illinois told Punchbowl News: “We cannot ignore the reality of the numbers and where they’re coming from. We didn’t design the border policies for the volume of this nature. And we have to find a way, as painful as it may be, to bring some order.”