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The Senate’s High-Stakes Battles Await in 2023
The Senate has wrapped up its business for the year, but when lawmakers return in January, they will be thrust into a series of intense battles. The slow progress on negotiations for Ukraine funding and unresolved spending levels for the fiscal year will be at the forefront.
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Lawmakers were called back to Washington, D.C. during their Christmas recess to tie up loose ends and give negotiators more time to reach a compromise on border reforms. While some progress was made, a handshake agreement on the border deal was not reached, pushing the vote on the Ukraine bill to early January.
A bipartisan group of senators has been working tirelessly to negotiate the border compromise, which is crucial for passing the defense bill that includes aid for Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and Minority Leader Mitch McConnell have both supported combining aid for Israel and Ukraine, as well as including border security measures.
Senators James Lankford and Chris Murphy have been leading the negotiations, focusing on changes to federal asylum policy and the Biden administration’s use of humanitarian parole authority. The White House has reportedly offered to establish a new border expulsion law and increase mandatory detention rates, although no official confirmation has been made.
Despite the slow pace, senators are eager to reach a deal that can swiftly pass through both chambers. However, the bill may face challenges in the House, particularly from GOP lawmakers who oppose Ukraine aid.
When the Senate reconvenes next year, they will also need to address other priorities, including passing the remaining appropriations bills to keep the government open. The compressed timeline may require negotiations over spending levels without the bills’ passage, but working through them in the new year would strengthen the Senate’s position in negotiations with the House.
The House and Senate have been heading towards a showdown over federal spending, with each chamber producing appropriations bills with different caps. The Senate Appropriations Committee wrote their bills based on the agreed-upon levels from President Biden and then-House Speaker Kevin McCarthy’s deal in May. However, the House Appropriations Committee wrote their bills with lower caps, causing tension within the GOP conference.
As for the remaining bills, the House and Senate could opt for a short-term continuing resolution or pass a stopgap that covers the rest of the fiscal year. However, these options would undermine the months of work put in by appropriators.
As the Senate prepares for a challenging year ahead, the outcome of these battles will shape the nation’s future.
Cami Mondeaux and Reese Gorman contributed to this report.
How will reaching a consensus on raising the debt ceiling be impacted by the divided government and Democrats’ slim majority in the Senate?
Ave both expressed urgency in reaching a resolution on the border deal and providing much-needed support to Ukraine.
Raising the Debt Ceiling
A Contentious Battle Looms
Another significant battle awaiting the Senate in 2023 is the issue of raising the debt ceiling. The United States is rapidly approaching its current debt limit, and failure to raise it could have severe consequences for the economy and financial markets.
This is not a new issue, as raising the debt ceiling has often been a contentious and politically charged battle in the past. Both parties have used it as a bargaining chip to push their respective agendas, leading to uncertainty and potential economic turmoil.
However, with divided government and Democrats holding a slim majority in the Senate, reaching a consensus on the debt ceiling will require careful negotiations and compromises. Failure to raise the debt ceiling could lead to a government shutdown, defaulting on the country’s obligations, and a loss of confidence in the United States’ economic stability.
Infrastructure and Climate Change
A Challenging Path Forward
One area that lawmakers hope to find common ground on is infrastructure and addressing the challenges of climate change. President Biden’s Build Back Better agenda includes a significant investment in infrastructure, as well as measures to combat climate change and transition to clean energy.
However, passing any substantial legislation in the Senate will require bipartisan support or the use of reconciliation. While there is general agreement on the need to invest in infrastructure and address climate change, there are significant differences in how to achieve these goals.
The Senate will face tough choices in prioritizing which infrastructure projects to fund and how to pay for them. Additionally, navigating the complexities of climate change policies and balancing environmental concerns with economic growth will be a delicate task.
As the Senate reconvenes in January 2023, these high-stakes battles will dominate the agenda. The resolution of the border deal and ensuring support for Ukraine will be urgent priorities. Raising the debt ceiling without jeopardizing the country’s economic stability will require careful negotiations. Finally, finding common ground on infrastructure and climate change will test the Senate’s ability to bridge political divides and address pressing national priorities.
Lawmakers must approach these battles with a spirit of cooperation and compromise, putting the needs of the American people above political posturing. The stakes are high, and the decisions made in the Senate will have far-reaching consequences for the country’s economy, national security, and future generations.
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