The US Senate unveiled a $118 billion deal that would increase border security and provide aid to Israel and Ukraine.
Senators Chris Murphy, James Lankford and Kirsten Sinema released a bill that would increase border security while providing more aid to Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan. If passed, the bipartisan compromise would be the first major update to America's immigration system since the 1990s.
The proposal could be President Joseph Biden's best chance to restore military aid to Ukraine — a top foreign policy goal shared by both the top Democrat in the Senate, Sen. Chuck Schumer, and the top Republican, Sen. Mitch McConnell.
Biden and the Democratic and Republican leaders of the Senate have sought to resupply Ukraine for the war against Russia, but have faced resistance from conservative Republicans who have pushed for measures to combat illegal immigration at the border with Mexico.
The bill released Sunday would provide $60 billion in aid to Ukraine, whose efforts to repel the Russian invasion have been weakened by the suspension of US ammunition shipments.
The agreement would also provide $14,1 billion in military aid to Israel, about $2,44 billion is earmarked for addressing security issues in the Red Sea, where Yemen's Houthi rebels are carrying out attacks on commercial ships, while $4,83 billion is earmarked for support Asian allies amid tensions between China and Taiwan.
Under the deal, the president would be given new powers to immediately deport migrants if authorities are overwhelmed with asylum applications.
Illegal immigration is expected to be a key issue during November's presidential election, and Republican candidate Donald Trump is already campaigning on claims of an "invasion" at the southern border.
Biden called on Congress on Sunday to "quickly pass" the agreement so he could sign it into law.
"We have reached agreement on a bipartisan national security deal that includes the toughest and fairest set of border reforms in decades," Biden said in a statement.
Senate Democratic Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said he would seek to schedule a vote on the legislation Wednesday, describing the package as a "monumental step toward strengthening America's national security abroad and along our borders."
"This is one of the most necessary and important pieces of legislation Congress has proposed in years to ensure the prosperity and security of America," Schumer said in a statement.
Despite support from Democratic leaders, the bill faces uncertain prospects in both the Senate and House of Representatives, where Republicans hold a majority.
House Republican Speaker Mike Johnson said Sunday the Senate deal would be "dead as soon as it reaches" the Republican-controlled House.
"This bill is worse than we expected and will not bring the disaster at the border that the president has created any closer to ending," Johnson said on the X Network.
The bill could also face opposition from some Democrats over providing more military aid to Israel, which is under increasing international pressure over the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
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