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House Speaker Mike Johnson emerged from a critical meeting at the White House with President Joe Biden, steadfast in his insistence that curbing illegal immigration remains a non-negotiable priority.
The high-level discussion also included Vice President Kamala Harris, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries. While Democrats labeled the session as “intense” yet “productive,” with a focus on escalating aid for Ukraine, Johnson underscored the urgency of fortifying U.S. border security.
Johnson articulated to the press, “I came here with a clear mission—to voice the undeniable fact that America’s needs must come first. And at the forefront of these needs is our unsecured border,” emphasizing his repeated efforts to bring this concern to the forefront of discussions with President Biden.
He highlighted his commitment to government funding, noting the bipartisan efforts to avert a potential government shutdown. Johnson reassured, “We are committed to ensuring the government remains funded.”
Recent developments saw Johnson and fellow GOP leaders dismissing a Senate border bill as unacceptable without significant revisions. Reports have surfaced of a compromise between Democrats and Senate Republicans linked to Ukrainian aid, sparking debate among House Republicans over specific provisions.
Senator Chris Murphy announced a forthcoming vote on a bipartisan border control bill, challenging legislators to make a decisive choice. Meanwhile, Schumer has signaled his intention to advance the bill, mentioning it alongside funding for Israel, humanitarian aid for Gaza, support for Taiwan, and crucial southern border improvements.
Critics have voiced concerns over the Biden Administration’s border management, citing record-high migrant encounters as evidence of failure. A proposed border agreement suggesting a daily migrant entry cap before necessitating border closure has been met with skepticism by House Republicans, who assert President Biden’s existing executive power to enact necessary changes.
Despite the bipartisan effort, the Senate’s attempt to pass the measure faltered, with House conservatives and Speaker Johnson maintaining that the administration has the means to address border challenges without new legislation.