MNI POLITICAL RISK- Johnson Confirms Opposition To Border Bill

Executive Summary:

• The political realities of an election year appear to have punctured optimism that the yet-unreleased border security bill has a pathway through Congress. Negotiators Senator James Lankford (R-OK) and Senator Kyrsten Sinema (I-AZ) remain hopeful that the final text can address “misinformation” and “rumours” about the legislation but Republican leadership in the Senate appear resigned to the likely collapse of the deal.
• House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA), on the heels of widely reported comments declaring the Senate border package “dead on arrival” in the House, used his first speech of the floor of the House of Representatives yesterday to slam the Biden administration border policy.
• As the world awaits President Biden’s response to the attack on a US base in Jordan which killed three US personnel, public comments from Biden administration officials continue to hint at restrained military action designed to prevent a wider conflict with Iran.
• The USD$79 billion bipartisan and bicameral tax deal, negotiated by Rep Mike Smith (R-MT) and Senator Ron Wyden (D-OR), sailed through the House yesterday in a 357-70 vote.
• A pro-Biden super pac is preparing a major advertising offensive in swing states as Trump's campaign finances dwindle under the weight of legal fees.
• NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg says he’s not concerned that Donald Trump could withdraw from NATO if he wins a second term.
• Poll of the Day: A slight increase in positive views on the economy has not been reflected in President Biden’s approval ratings.

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