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WASHINGTON – With House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-Louisiana) showing no indication he plans to introduce new legislation addressing the southern border or foreign aid soon, lawmakers are looking to rally supporters of the plan. They are looking forward to tackling the problem themselves. .
For example, as lawmakers struggle to debate national security and foreign aid, Reps. Brian Fitzpatrick (R-Pa.) and Don Bacon (R-Pa.), co-chairs of the bipartisan Problem Solvers Caucus, , Nebraska) is expected to unveil a bill to provide aid. and against U.S. allies, including Ukraine and Israel.
The bill would also include a variation on former President Donald Trump’s signature “remain in Mexico” policy, which would require humanitarian asylum seekers to remain in Mexico while awaiting hearings by U.S. immigration judges. .
Moderate Republicans worked with two House Democrats, but Fitzpatrick declined to reveal to reporters Thursday who he worked with.
The bill replaces the Senate’s $118 billion deal that would have sent resources to U.S. allies and enacted sweeping changes to border and immigration policy. The deal quickly fell apart as House Republican leaders, along with most Republicans, declared the bill invalid on arrival, arguing that the border provisions weren’t strict enough.
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Mr. Fitzpatrick and Mr. Bacon’s bill largely follows the spirit of that agreement, which ties border changes to foreign aid, but excludes certain programs. For example, the proposal does not include humanitarian aid to Gaza or economic aid to Ukraine.
Such inaction could quickly alienate progressive Democrats, who have pushed for humanitarian aid in any aid package for Israel. It also risks undermining support from lawmakers on both sides of the aisle who have called for more U.S. aid to Ukraine.
But Fitzpatrick told reporters Thursday that he would “commit to an open amendment process” that would allow leaders to propose changes to the bill themselves.
On the border and immigration front, the New Democratic Party coalition of about 100 moderate Democrats unveiled its own framework Thursday to address the crisis at the southern border. The proposal includes increased funding for the Department of Homeland Security. It also includes permanent residency for “Dreamers” (undocumented immigrants brought to the United States as children), asylum reform and other potential plans.
Moderate Coalition Chair Rep. Annie Kuster (D.N.H.) said in a press conference that the Moderate Coalition has been in contact with “colleagues on both sides of the aisle” about the framework and that they are “positive about a deal.” There is,” he said. Discuss how to complete all of this. ”
“We are furious centrists,” said Rep. Greg Stanton (D-Ariz.), another member of the group. “This is a framework and we are reaching out to our Republican friends and proposing that they work with us to reach a bipartisan solution.”
But when asked about Mr. Fitzpatrick and Mr. Bacon’s separate plans, Mr. Kuster said it appeared to be a “narrow amendment.” He highlighted the longstanding difficulties Congress faces in trying to pass any kind of border and immigration reform and questioned whether it could garner significant support from Democrats. .
“It’s a math problem, right? We don’t know if they’re going to get the votes they need,” Kuster said.
Two initiatives by some of the House’s most moderate members illustrate the particular political impasse that Congress finds itself in today. Member states are trying to address the crisis at their southern border while also supporting U.S. allies, both issues that Democrats and Republicans alike say are urgent.
After the Senate’s emergency spending deal collapsed, the Senate passed a standalone foreign aid and national security bill with no border provisions. Mr. Johnson and House Republicans immediately lashed out.
But Prime Minister Johnson said he saw no immediate need to consider the Senate’s latest bill, telling reporters on Tuesday that he was focused on avoiding a government shutdown. Some of the federal funding expires on March 1st.
He also called for new legislation to address the southern border, even though he had already rejected an earlier deal that senators had been working on for months to link foreign aid and border goals.
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