The Senate could reach a potential deal on additional funding for Israel and Ukraine, including stricter U.S. border provisions, this week, Sen. Joe Manchin (D., W.Va.) said on Sunday.
“I think we’re going to see something this week, and we’ll stay here until we get it done,” he told CNN’s State of the Union.
Lawmakers are negotiating a package that includes stricter requirements on individuals who want to claim asylum, Manchin said, along with a new way to expel migrants more quickly, and limits on allowing people to come to the U.S. under urgent humanitarian conditions.
The proposals have angered some progressives, including Rep. Pramila Jayapal (D., Wa.), who is the head of the House Progressive Caucus and has criticized the border restrictions as “demonizing immigrants.”
Sen. Lindsey Graham (R., S.C.) said he doesn’t believe a deal will be completed this year, telling NBC’s Meet the Press that negotiations will likely continue into the new year. “We’re not anywhere close to a deal,” he said. “We’re not going to give in on some bandaid fix.”
Manchin acknowledged on CNN that the bill won’t be supported by everyone, but said “I think you’re going to find that we’re going to find a piece of legislation that we can work.”
Republicans have demanded border restrictions to approve more aid for Ukraine, whose President Volodymyr Zelensky was in Washington last week to personally ask lawmakers for help.
The House has approved aid for Israel but adjourned for the Christmas holidays without any decision on Ukraine. Rep. Tony Gonzales (R., Texas) told CBS’s Face the Nation that what he’s heard about the proposal is “a good start” but it will require more to get approval in both the House and Senate.
The Senate delayed its holiday break to continue negotiating. Sen. Chris Van Hollen (D., Md.) told ABC’s This Week that the negotiators appear to be making progress. “I think it’s essential that we provide military assistance to Ukraine,” he said.
Write to Liz Moyer at [email protected]
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