GOP Senators Report Progress In US-Mexico Border Talks

Manu Raju at CNN reporting on X that, "things are moving on [US-Mexico] border policy talks but unclear if deal will be reached," adding the White House has, "made some key concessions, GOP senators are saying major progress. [Senator Thom] Tillis [R-SC] believes a deal in principle is within reach over next few days. McConnell and Schumer meeting now. Many Ds unhappy."

• Note: A deal on the US-Mexico border is central unlocking USD$110bln in supplemental funding for Ukraine and Israel.
• Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) told reporters a short time ago: "Progress is being made... I hope we can reach an agreement soon to pass a supplemental through the Senate."
• Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) said: "I'm hopeful we can reach an agreement and address two national security priorities."
• CBS reported yesterday that the White House may be willing to back new authority to expel migrants and a “dramatic expansion of detention and deportation” of undocumented migrants.
• The White House rejected the CBS report but indicated again that Biden is prepared to make concessions. Biden said told reporters: “Compromise is how democracy works. And I am ready, and offered compromise already. (But) holding Ukraine funding hostage in an attempt to force through an extreme Republican agenda on the border is not how it works.”
• Primary question is how much is Biden willing to concede in order to push funding through Congress? If progressives believe Biden has conceded too much it could significantly impact his chances of re-election next year.