Some conservative Republican senators are pushing for a new approach to Ukraine funding as the White House escalates its pleas for more financial support. Instead of a $60 billion supplemental the Biden administration has requested up front, a group of Republicans say they prefer a parceled-out approach tied to what happens at the southern U.S. border.
The discussions come as President Joe Biden personally appeals to lawmakers to pass a supplemental funding agreement to fund aid to Ukraine and Israel. Speaking to reporters after Wednesday’s White House meeting, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said there’s “broad consensus” on Ukraine across the parties in Congress and that for the first time, he put the chances at “a little bit greater than half” that a border supplemental deal would come together.
But they may run into trouble with Republican senators who want a more hardline approach on the border in exchange for aiding Ukraine.