All articles tagged with #bipartisan negotiation
Senator Chris Murphy shares insights into the collapse of the bipartisan border bill negotiation, highlighting the roles of Senators Lankford and Sinema, the intense pressure, and the disappointment of the bill's failure. He discusses the White House's involvement, the impact on immigration discussions, and the contrast between Democrats' desire to solve border issues and Republicans' exploitation of the situation.
GOP Senator James Lankford faced backlash and abandonment from his colleagues after spending months negotiating a bipartisan border compromise, with fellow negotiator Kyrsten Sinema criticizing Republicans for abandoning the deal. Despite being known as a sincere and well-liked member of the Senate, Lankford's colleagues swiftly rejected the deal, highlighting deep divides within the GOP and the influence of former President Donald Trump. The bipartisan compromise aimed to overhaul the asylum system at the border and provide aid to Ukraine, but Lankford faced criticism and opposition, with lasting political consequences in Oklahoma.
Senate Republicans blocked the advancement of a bipartisan foreign aid bill with new border provisions, falling short of the 60 votes needed. Majority Leader Chuck Schumer presented a second option without the border provisions, but it's uncertain if it will garner enough support. Republicans had initially insisted on border provisions as a condition for passing Ukraine aid before changing their stance. The House is in disarray, and there's hope for bipartisan collaboration to advance a national security package without border provisions.
The House GOP failed to pass a bill providing military aid to Israel, as the impasse over addressing national security concerns continues. The measure, which required a two-thirds majority to pass, was pitched as a GOP counteroffer to a more comprehensive Senate bill. The impasse also extends to funding for Ukraine, Taiwan, and U.S. border security. Despite strong support for Israel, the stand-alone House bill faced criticism from Democrats and uncertainty looms over the path ahead for funding President Biden’s national security priorities.
Senate Republicans, including Lindsey Graham, Tom Cotton, and James Lankford, have proposed sweeping changes to border policies, including making it harder for migrants to seek asylum and codifying the "remain in Mexico" policy. They plan to demand these changes in exchange for their support for President Biden's funding requests for aid to Ukraine. The White House has indicated openness to negotiation but disagrees with many of the proposed policies. Democrats remain divided on the proposal but open to discussing certain policy changes, such as a pathway to citizenship for undocumented immigrants brought to the U.S. as children.
President Biden is trying to involve Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell in the debt limit talks to undercut Speaker Kevin McCarthy, but McConnell insists that McCarthy will be the Republican point person in the negotiations. Democrats have less confidence in McCarthy as a negotiator who can produce a result. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen on Monday said Congress has until around June 1 to raise the debt limit or risk a default. Democrats hope they can round up enough Republican votes to pass a clean debt limit increase through the Senate.