Senate Republicans have indicated that they are witnessing progress in discussions regarding potential alterations to border policy.
These changes are expected to be part of a supplemental spending package that the White House has requested. However, it remains uncertain whether an agreement can be reached.
Negotiations have been ongoing between Senate legislators and the administration. The supplemental funding request under discussion includes border funding, as well as aid for Israel and Ukraine. However, the contents of the border funding section have sparked intense disagreements between Republicans and Democrats. Republicans are advocating for stricter limits on initial asylum screenings and the use of parole. The House Republican leadership has proposed the inclusion of a comprehensive package passed in the House earlier this year. However, Senate Republicans have demonstrated a willingness to consider a more restricted package.
President Biden expressed his openness to "significant compromises" last week. CBS News reported on Tuesday that the Biden administration is considering a new authority similar to Title 42. This was the COVID-era order that permitted the swift expulsion of migrants at the southern border until May of this year.
The administration is reportedly also considering a nationwide expansion of expedited removal. This would allow for the rapid removal of recently arrived migrants who do not meet the initial asylum standard. Currently, this is only being implemented at and near the border. CBS reported that the White House is willing to mandate the detention of certain migrants while their claims are being evaluated.
This report has elicited anger from left-wing Democrats, while Republicans have responded positively, albeit cautiously.
"It's a start, but I think the most important thing is the White House has finally gotten engaged, and it's taken a long time to get there, but they finally did on Monday," Senator John Cornyn, a Republican from Texas, told reporters. "But unfortunately, we're so late in the year and with so little time left, it's not practical to conclude between now and the end of the year."
Senator Thom Tillis, a Republican from North Carolina, expressed his openness to the idea of something akin to the Title 42 authority. He cited the large number of migrant encounters at the southern border and suggested that lawmakers should remain in Washington until an agreement can be reached. Lawmakers are scheduled to depart Washington for their winter break on Thursday.
"I'm going to take it as a good-faith offer, which is why I think we have to act in good faith and stay here until we get it negotiated out," he said.
Several lawmakers informed reporters that there was nothing yet in writing from the White House and that the key would be in the details.
"We've been back and forth this morning, and we'll continue to be able to work through. And again, yesterday was positive and we made a lot of progress on it to be able to go through it, and we'll just keep working," said Senator James Lankford, a Republican from Oklahoma.
Senator Lindsey Graham, a Republican from South Carolina, stated that it was "good news" that the White House was participating in the discussions.
"Whether we can land this plane, I dont know," he said.
However, even if an agreement can be reached in the Senate, it is unclear whether the House would approve it, as it has been considering more extensive measures. Meanwhile, Democrats in both the House and the Senate criticized the reported proposals, accusing the Biden administration of reverting to Trump-era policies.
"It is truly shameful that President Biden and his administration are considering selling out migrants and asylum seekers in order placate extreme Republicans who are jeopardizing our national security and that of our allies just to score a political point," Senator Bob Menendez, a Democrat from New Jersey, stated.
In related news, Fox News reported that Tuesday saw another day where overwhelmed officials at the border encountered more than 10,000 migrants in a single day.
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