Republican senators defied Donald Trump in backing the agreement
David Millward, US CORRESPONDENT
5 February 2024 •
US senators have unveiled a bipartisan immigration deal which will secure the southern border and release aid for Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan.
Republican senators defied Donald Trump in backing the agreement which comes after months of negotiation.
But despite the agreement, the bill is likely to run into trouble in the Republican-controlled House of Representatives, with the House Speaker, describing it as “dead on arrival”.
Key provisions of the 370-page agreement include the shutting of the border if illegal crossings hit a threshold.
President Joe Biden last month he would sign a bill shutting the border under those circumstances if the Senate sent him bipartisan legislation.
The bill will also end the practice of “catch and release” under which migrants are freed while they wait for their application to be considered.
Critics said this led to thousands of illegal migrants disappearing and remaining in the country.
The measure will also speed up the processing of immigration claims and tighten up the rules governing asylum.
Oklahoma Republican senator, James Langford who was one of the negotiators, hailed the agreement.
He described it as “a once-in-a-generation opportunity to close our open border and give future administrations the effective tools they need to stop the border chaos and protect our nation.”
The deal on immigration means that funds totaling $118 billion will be released, which includes the foreign aid which was in danger of being blocked.
Chuck Schumer, the Democratic leader of the Senate, said he would introduce the legislation within days.
But despite the agreement conservatives still condemned the agreement.
Utah Republican Senator Mike Lee, wrote on Twitter: “Any 41 senators can prevent the bill from proceeding. If you agree that senators should have this bill for at least a few weeks (and certainly more than a few days) before voting on it, say so!”
And some of the provisions are likely to face opposition from progressive Democrats.
Nevertheless, the deal was hailed by Mr Biden.
“For too long, going back decades, the immigration system has been broken. It’s time to fix it,” he said.
“Now we’ve reached an agreement on a bipartisan national security deal that includes the toughest and fairest set of border reforms in decades.
“It will make our country safer, make our border more secure, treat people fairly and humanely while preserving legal immigration, consistent with our values as a nation.”
“But despite the agreement, the bill is likely to run into trouble in the Republican-controlled House of Representatives, with the House Speaker, describing it as “dead on arrival”.
It looks like Ukraine’s agony will continue.
What an utter disgrace.
Selected comments from DT readers:
Nick Stockdale
Of course the bill will eventually go through. I assume that US arms factories are continually churning out shells so that once the bill passes, arms are ready to go.
Russia will surpass 400,000 casualties this month. It looks like there will be plenty more russian meat following those.
Wensleydale Cheese
Putin super-fans will be gutted.
EU & US funding for Ukraine was always going to happen.
kitty stephens
Reply to Wensleydale Cheese
Only it’s not going to happen. Won’t get passed by the House.
Jonathan Lloyd
It seems like the Republicans are getting most of what they say they want here. Now most favour continued support for Ukraine. Linking the two issues makes no sense but this is where we are nowadays – make the deal.
Carl Sanderson
Reply to Jonathan Lloyd
Linking the two makes perfect if it forces the Democrats to do something about the southern border, something they are somewhat reluctant, shall we say, to do. Johnson has been clear that the Bill is DOA in the House, anyway.
Kremtroll warning :
“Philip Logan”
They are spending money they don’t have on Ukraine a country that is dying and can’t be saved. Vietnam, Afghanistan, Iraq, and now Ukraine.
Tim South
What on earth has stopping cheap labour spilling into the US ( for over forty years ) to do with the Russian terrorist criminal state invading a democratic country ?
It has become clear to see how the Russia mafia type Government using , violence intimidation, theft and propaganda needs isolating to protect freedom, democracy and the well being of all surrounding countries and humanity itself.
Alan Smith
It’s disgusting that the republicans are using Ukrainians as a pawn.
Elephant McGee
That sounds like progress, and Trump will be fuming, which is good. The House MAGA wingnuts will block certainly as they don’t want Biden to get any kudos, even when passing the bill would be good for America and Ukraine. Crazy times.
Palle Mathiasen on LinkedIn:
“A bipartisan bill containing support for Ukraine, Israel and Border Security received this response from house Speaker Mike Johnson.
“If this bill reaches the House, it will be dead on arrival.”.
The 5th column is active and working. The United States is in deep trouble. Border security is a sideshow, the main objective is to delay and disrupt millitary assistance to US allies.”
The “neinsager” group
Johnson:
“I’ve seen enough. This bill is even worse than we expected, and won’t come close to ending the border catastrophe the President has created. As the lead Democrat negotiator proclaimed: Under this legislation, ‘the border never closes… If this bill reaches the House, it will be dead on arrival,”
Scalise:
“the Senate bill “will NOT receive a vote in the House.”
The “realpolitik” group
Lankford:
“I’m a little confused how it’s worse than they expected when it builds border wall, expands deportation flights, expands ICE officers, border patrol officers, detention beds how it creates a faster process for deportations, clears up a lot of the long-term issues and loopholes that have existed in the asylum law and then gets us an emergency authority that stops the chaos right now on the border,”
Graham:
“To those who push H.R. 2, it’s not gonna happen. So if it doesn’t happen, you go to do something else.”
The facts speak for themselves. A group of legislative terrorists will refuse any agreement even beneficial for their borders. Immaturity, bad faith and corrupt political ethics. Here are the guidelines of certain elected officials. It is terrible for Ukraine what is likely to happen. We hope for a Republican reaction. But do they still have faith in America and what it represents as a symbol of defending freedom?
We beg you! Vote for this aid to the Ukrainians who deserve it more than anyone else!
https://thehill.com/homenews/house/4448080-speaker-johnson-border-bill-is-even-worse-than-we-expected/
Trump works for Putin. He wants to turn us into a laughing stock. He’s sponsored like the AFD, Le Pen and many others. I only support nationalists who support Ukraine, the rest is SCUM!
“There are radical voices in the Republican Party, but there are also many people who support Ukraine. It’s up to the people of the United States to decide, but if they intend to cut aid to Ukraine, there will be a new geopolitical alignment.
Putin will break through our defenses, he will move forward and he will not stop easily.”
https://www.pravda.com.ua/eng/news/2024/02/5/7440371/
I don’t like what’s happening at all… We sense a sort of inflection point coming.
Blocked Congressional aid, tensions within the Ukrainian general staff, weakening of certain front lines, inappropriate statements by certain officials…
More than ever, nothing is lost, everything is to be gained, if the free world continues to support Ukraine.
Congress, We implore you to vote for this aid to Ukraine. It is a choice for life or death. Nothing else
Slava Oukraïni
I will post the article.
Murphy: “When you have fulcrums, you have to use them,” he said. “We have to use what we can — sadly enough, with the conflict in Ukraine.”
Millions of Ukrainian lives are just “tools” for certain US elected officials. There is nothing more to say. Disgusting.
https://www.politico.com/news/magazine/2024/02/05/what-happens-when-nato-meets-the-freedom-caucus-00139351
“It is one thing to hold Ukraine funding hostage to a border-security agreement. It is another to refuse payment of a demanded ransom.”