Biden’s Border Deal Surpasses Allocated Funding

The ongoing negotiations between lawmakers and the Biden administration regarding the border deal have taken an unexpected turn. The anticipated cost of the agreement is now estimated to exceed the allocated $14 billion from President Biden’s national security supplemental request for the border.

Senate Republican Whip John Thune confirmed that the actual cost of the deal is currently being discussed. Senator Susan Collins, the vice chair of the Appropriations Committee, also revealed that the price tag “will definitely be more” than $14 billion.

Despite the uncertainty surrounding the exact cost, it is clear that the bill will face an uphill battle when it comes to a vote in the upper chamber and the GOP-controlled House. The outstanding issues in the border negotiations, including funding for Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan, still need to be resolved.

Senator Chris Murphy, the lead Democrat negotiator, emphasized the importance of funding the policy change if it is to be implemented. He warned against attempts to change the deal in the Appropriations Committee and urged his colleagues to sell the caucus on the deal.

Senator James Lankford, the lead Republican negotiator, acknowledged that it would be a push to get the legislation to the floor this week. He emphasized the need for several days to review the legislation and offer amendments. The pressure to pass the bill before the scheduled Senate GOP conference meeting on February 9 is mounting.

The White House’s supplemental request, which includes $61.4 billion for Ukraine, $14.3 billion for Israel, $13.6 billion for border security provisions, and significant investments in Indo-Pacific security assistance, is a significant amount. The bill’s cost, combined with the ongoing border crisis, has raised concerns among some lawmakers.

Senator Josh Hawley and Senator Rand Paul, two hawkish voices opposed to more foreign aid without heightened oversight, have expressed their concerns about the potential cost of the border deal. They have called for transparency and a thorough review of the legislation before it is passed.

The critical sticking point in the negotiations has been the issue of parole, an integral border policy that allows illegal immigrants to live in the U.S. temporarily and obtain their green cards. The expansion of parole under the Biden administration has been a source of controversy and frustration for some lawmakers.

As the negotiations continue, it remains to be seen how the cost of the border deal will be addressed and whether it will face opposition from both sides of the aisle. The ongoing crisis at the southern border and the need for additional funding for foreign aid have created a complex and contentious situation.

In conclusion, the cost of the border deal is estimated to exceed the allocated $14 billion from President Biden’s national security supplemental request for the border. The negotiations between lawmakers and the Biden administration are ongoing, and the cost, along with outstanding issues, will likely face an uphill battle when it comes to a vote in the upper chamber and the GOP-controlled House. The concerns of hawkish voices, such as Senators Hawley and Paul, about the potential cost and transparency of the legislation have added to the complexity of the situation. The ongoing border crisis and the need for additional funding for foreign aid have created a contentious and complex situation that will require careful consideration and compromise from all parties involved.