- Senate Minority Leader McConnell faces opposition from Trump and Speaker Johnson as he pushes for a bipartisan Ukraine-immigration deal.
- House Republicans, including Speaker Johnson, declare the bill “dead on arrival” and urge Senate Republicans to kill it.
- The current divide within the Senate GOP highlights Trump’s control over the party and poses challenges for McConnell in pushing the deal forward.
Additional Coverage:
- McConnell staked his legacy on a border-Ukraine deal. He may be too out of step with the GOP to save it. (businessinsider.com)
Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell is facing opposition from former President Donald Trump and House Speaker Mike Johnson as he pushes for a bipartisan Ukraine-immigration deal. Senate Republicans are lining up against the legislation, and McConnell may struggle to overcome Trump’s efforts to kill the deal. The bill, which aims to fund Ukraine’s defense, change US immigration policy, and counter China’s rise, was declared “dead on arrival” by Speaker Johnson and other top House Republicans. McConnell, who views aiding Ukraine as central to his legacy, is facing challenges in pushing the deal forward.
A bipartisan group of senators announced a $118 billion deal to address immigration and support Ukraine and Israel’s defenses. However, it appears the bill is unlikely to pass, with House Republicans, including Speaker Johnson, voicing opposition and urging Senate Republicans to kill the legislation. Even if the bill manages to pass the Senate, House Republicans are expected to ignore it. McConnell’s comments, leaked before the bill’s announcement, suggested that he doesn’t want to undermine Trump’s views on immigration.
The current divide within the Senate GOP illustrates Trump’s increasing control over the party. Some senators who clashed with Trump during his time in office, such as Jeff Flake and Ben Sasse, are no longer in the Senate, while others, like Mitt Romney, will soon leave. Senators JD Vance and Josh Hawley lead a group of conservatives seeking closer alignment with Trump on various policy issues. Senator Mike Lee of Utah has called for new leadership and criticized McConnell’s partnership with Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer.
Conservatives oppose the bill, citing Biden’s actions at the border and concerns about granting more authority to the Homeland Security Secretary. Notably, the bill includes unprecedented border security provisions in a bipartisan immigration deal. McConnell’s leadership is being challenged within his party, and his position is under threat. Time might not be on his side, especially considering his age and recent health incidents. McConnell will continue to work to gather support for the bill, but it remains uncertain if he will be successful.