“Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell on Wednesday brushed back Speaker Mike Johnson’s concerns about a potential bipartisan border deal tied to Ukraine funding, as Senate leaders projected renewed confidence that their negotiators are close to an accord.
Ahead of a meeting at the White House with congressional leaders, Johnson continued to tout the House GOP’s hardline border plan while questioning Senate talks that will fall far short of his members’ demands. McConnell acknowledged that he wasn’t sure what Johnson might do with a Senate-passed border bill — but made clear that would not affect the Senate’s path forward.”
he wasn’t sure what Johnson might do with a Senate-passed border bill - but made clear that would not affect the Senate’s path forward
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The Senate can take whatever path it wants, but without House approval, no money will be spent, ie current proposals are DOA in the House.
“Some House Republicans, worried about Ukraine, are eager for a deal. Rep. Doug Lamborn (R., Colo.), a member of the House Armed Services Committee, said that while he agrees with linking U.S. border security and Ukraine aid, “we can’t throw Ukraine to the wolves.”
Right now the negotiations look complicated, but he believes lawmakers will get to a solution, he said.
“There’s majority sentiment to fund Ukraine no matter what a few loudmouths say in our Republican conference,” Lamborn said.”