Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell has backtracked on his support for a $106 billion package aimed at bolstering US border security while also providing assistance to Ukraine and Israel. McConnell's change in stance comes as details of the proposal, first requested by President Biden in October, emerged, causing hardline Republicans to voice their concerns.

On Wednesday, McConnell forcefully advocated for the package, emphasizing that it was vital to prevent authoritarian forces, like Russian President Vladimir Putin's war machine, from redrawing maps through force. He also highlighted the need to restore sovereignty at the southern border. However, in his Thursday floor speech, McConnell made no mention of Ukraine or the border issue.

Reports indicate that McConnell, in a private conference meeting, acknowledged the reluctance among Senate Republicans to undermine former President Donald Trump, who is expected to seek the GOP nomination in 2024. This sentiment among Republican senators led to concerns that their leverage over the deal had been lost.

The news of McConnell's shift in position garnered mixed reactions within Republican ranks. A national GOP strategist praised McConnell for "coming to his senses," suggesting that Democrats would have gained too much in a border-focused pivot during an election year. However, other Senate Republican aides stressed that McConnell still supports the deal, despite the political implications.

Retiring Senator Mitt Romney criticized the influence of Trump in the discussions, calling it "appalling," and accusing the former president of wanting to blame President Biden rather than solving the border issue.

Meanwhile, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer issued a dire warning during his floor speech on Wednesday, stating that failing to pass the allocated $61.4 billion for Ukraine's war effort could result in the country's collapse.

Schumer remains committed to advancing the legislation, stating that negotiations will continue throughout the weekend to address the remaining issues.

However, several Republican senators, including Senator Rick Scott, vowed to block any legislation that would hinder future Republican presidents' efforts to crack down on illegal immigration. Senator Mike Lee criticized the lack of transparency in the negotiations, raising concerns about potential provisions in the bill that conservatives disapprove of, such as parole for thousands of illegal immigrants and expanded work permits.

Leaked provisions of the bill indicate that it includes measures that conservative Republicans have previously opposed, such as a Title 42-style authority that would only start expelling migrants when their numbers reach between 4,000 to 5,000 per day, as well as humanitarian parole for tens of thousands of migrants entering the country through designated airports.

Senator James Lankford, leading the negotiations along with Senators Chris Murphy and Kyrsten Sinema, cautioned against judging the final deal based on leaked drafts, hoping to ease Republican concerns.

Despite opposition from some Republican senators, the negotiations continue in an attempt to reach a compromise. The fate of the legislation remains uncertain as lawmakers grapple with balancing border security, support for Ukraine, and the political considerations of an election year.