In a race against time, senators are working on finalizing a highly-anticipated bill that aims to address both border enforcement policy and provide much-needed wartime aid for Ukraine, Israel, and other U.S. allies. This package represents President Joe Biden's best chance of resupplying Ukraine with vital aid amid Russia's invasion, a foreign policy goal shared by both Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell.

The Senate had planned to hold a crucial test vote on the legislation this week, but it has already encountered significant opposition from conservatives. With the approval of tens of billions of dollars in Ukraine aid stalled in Congress, the U.S. has temporarily halted shipments of ammunition and missiles to Kyiv, leaving Ukrainian soldiers at a disadvantage in their efforts to defend against the Russian invasion.

To overcome resistance from House Republicans, McConnell insisted on including changes to border policies in the national security funding package. These changes would involve overhauling the asylum system at the border to expedite and strengthen enforcement. Additionally, the bill would grant the president expanded powers to expel migrants immediately in the event of overwhelming asylum applications.

Notably, President Biden and many Democrats have adopted a stance in favor of stricter border enforcement, a departure from previous years. Meanwhile, former President Donald Trump and his allies have criticized the proposed measures as inadequate, arguing that presidents already possess sufficient authority to curb illegal border crossings. This contrasting viewpoint ensures that immigration remains a prominent issue in the upcoming presidential election.

House Speaker Mike Johnson, a Republican from Louisiana, has expressed skepticism about the Senate package. Although he tried to engage House Republicans in the negotiations, he was rebuffed. Johnson insisted that the solution to border problems should come in the form of a hardline immigration proposal from the House itself.

In a move signaling his resistance to the Senate package, Johnson has announced that the House will vote on a separate package providing $17.6 billion in military aid for Israel. This maneuver allows House Republicans to demonstrate their support for Israel separate from the Senate's deal.

Nonetheless, Senator Kyrsten Sinema, an Arizona independent who helped negotiate the border proposal, expressed confidence that the bill would be realistic, pragmatic, and the strongest solution to address the ongoing border crisis. She assured the public that there would be ample opportunity for House members, including Speaker Johnson, to thoroughly study the bill's details, ask questions, and seek clarification.

The border proposal, which has been the result of months of negotiations, is primarily aimed at regaining control over an overwhelmed asylum system grappling with unprecedented numbers of migrants. The bill outlines tougher and swifter enforcement measures, including the automatic implementation of expulsion authority if the number of illegal border crossings exceeds 5,000 daily for a five-day average. The bill also gives presidential administrations the option to use the expulsion authority if the number reaches 4,000.

President Biden has emphasized his intention to utilize this authority to "shut down the border" as soon as the bill becomes law.

If passed, the bill will allocate $18.5 billion to immigration enforcement. This funding includes the hiring of thousands of new officers to evaluate asylum claims as well as additional Border Patrol agents. Furthermore, $1.4 billion would be allocated to shelters and services across the country, which have been struggling to cope with the influx of migrants in recent months.

Under the proposed legislation, the process for migrants seeking asylum, which provides protection for those facing persecution in their home countries, would become tougher and faster. The initial credible fear screenings would be heightened, and migrants would receive these interviews within days of arriving at the border. Final decisions on asylum claims would be made within months, significantly reducing the long wait times that currently exist.

Despite concerns raised by some progressive and Hispanic lawmakers within the Democratic Party regarding the new asylum standards, the bill's text has not yet been revealed, leaving many withholding final judgment. However, House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries expressed support for the bill, urging that it should not be "dead on arrival" and emphasizing the need for bipartisan common ground in Washington, D.C.

While the border proposal was finalized by senators last Friday, negotiations are still ongoing for other aspects of the package. These include aid for U.S. allies, investments in defense manufacturing capabilities, and humanitarian assistance for conflict-affected regions such as Gaza and Ukraine.

Some Republican senators, such as Lindsey Graham of South Carolina, have indicated their intention to impede the swift advancement of the bill in the Senate.