Schumer advises patience amidst Senate border talks delay
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer Optimistic About Reaching Border Security Deal
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) expressed optimism on Tuesday that the Senate can reach a deal on border security, despite acknowledging that talks had hit a roadblock.
A bipartisan working group has been negotiating changes to immigration law and had hoped to announce a deal upon senators’ return from the Christmas recess. However, Sen. James Lankford (R-OK), the lead Republican negotiator, informed reporters on Monday evening that there were “too many unresolved parts” for an agreement to be reached this week.
This pessimistic update came just hours after Schumer confidently declared from the Senate floor that they had made “more progress in the past couple of days on the border than we have in the past few weeks.”
The mixed messages from Schumer and Lankford reflect the current state of negotiations. While “progress” has been the buzzword, there are still significant sticking points, particularly regarding humanitarian parole, that are preventing a framework agreement.
Schumer has been acknowledging for weeks that reaching a final agreement would be challenging. However, his remarks on Tuesday aimed to counter recent skepticism about the possibility of a deal being reached at all.
“The key word in these negotiations has been persistence — persistence — and I remain hopeful that we’re going to get something meaningful done,” Schumer emphasized.
“At times, progress has been slow, and sometimes, progress has been immensely encouraging,” he added. “But either way, the important part is we’re making progress, and we are closer now than we have ever been to getting an agreement.”
The stakes are incredibly high. Republicans have demanded a border deal in exchange for providing tens of billions in aid to Ukraine, which is currently facing a critical funding shortage.
Furthermore, the battle over border security has become entangled with a looming Jan. 19 deadline to fund the government. House conservatives have threatened a government shutdown if significant border reforms are not implemented.
This is not the first time Senate border talks have hit a standstill. The working group had initially set the Christmas recess as a soft deadline to reach a compromise. However, that date passed without a deal, despite Sen. Michael Bennet (D-CO) extending the chamber’s session by an extra week.
Lankford will update Republicans on the state of the negotiations on Wednesday, following demands from skeptical Senate conservatives for a special conference meeting.
If an agreement is eventually reached, leadership will face opposition not only from Senate conservatives but also from Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA), who is under pressure to reject anything less than H.R. 2, the House’s flagship border security bill. It remains uncertain whether Johnson would consider a Senate deal.
The White House has been directly involved in negotiations with the working group, indicating that any compromise would likely have the approval of President Joe Biden. However, Biden is also facing pressure from his left flank, as he has been resistant to changes in parole, a tool used by the administration to admit hundreds of thousands of immigrants. Nevertheless, tighter asylum requirements would be included in any potential deal.
Read More: The Washington Examiner
Why is it urgent to find a resolution before the deadline to fund the government and how would another government shutdown impact the economy and the relationship between Democrats and Republicans
Es it may feel like we’re taking one step forward and two steps back,” Schumer continued. “But I truly believe that we are inching closer to a deal that prioritizes border security while also addressing the needs of DACA recipients and Dreamers.”
The negotiations, which began in early December, have centered around finding a compromise on border security funding and protections for undocumented immigrants brought to the country as children. These two issues have been at the forefront of the immigration debate for years, with both Republicans and Democrats having strong opinions on how to address them.
Despite the challenges, Schumer expressed confidence in the bipartisan working group, led by Sens. Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Lindsey Graham (R-SC), that has been tasked with finding a solution. He praised their dedication and willingness to find common ground, even in the face of numerous obstacles.
“I want to commend the members of this working group for their commitment to this crucial issue,” Schumer said. “They have put in countless hours, engaged in thoughtful discussions, and have shown a genuine desire to find a solution that works for all parties involved.”
Schumer also acknowledged the urgency of finding a resolution, as the deadline to fund the government and avoid a shutdown quickly approaches. Both parties have expressed their desire to avoid another government shutdown, which would have detrimental effects on the economy and could further strain the already fragile relationship between Democrats and Republicans.
“Time is of the essence,” Schumer emphasized. “We cannot afford to waste any more time. The American people are counting on us to come together, find common ground, and ensure the safety and security of our borders while also protecting the rights and dignity of those affected by our immigration system.”
Despite the roadblocks and challenges ahead, Schumer remains optimistic that a deal can be reached. He urged his colleagues to put aside their differences and focus on the larger goal of crafting comprehensive immigration reform that addresses the concerns of both sides.
“While the road ahead may be difficult, I am confident that we can and will find a way forward,” Schumer concluded. “We owe it to the American people to put politics aside and finally fix our broken immigration system. I am hopeful that we can make history and achieve real progress on this issue.”
As negotiations continue, all eyes will be on the Senate Majority Leader and the bipartisan working group, hoping that they can overcome their differences and reach a meaningful agreement on border security and immigration reform. The fate of millions of undocumented immigrants and the stability of the country’s borders hang in the balance, making the need for a deal all the more urgent.
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