Washington, D.C. - House Speaker Mike Johnson, a Republican, made a bold statement on Tuesday, asserting that comprehensive changes to U.S. border policy would be the crucial focal point in negotiations regarding President Joe Biden's nearly $106 billion aid package directed towards the wars in Ukraine and Israel, as well as other national security needs.

Johnson emphasized the significance of addressing border security as a top priority during a news conference, stating, "The battle is for the border." He further reiterated this stance in a letter to the White House, following warnings that the United States is at risk of running out of funding to provide support to Ukraine and counter Russia's invasion by the end of the year.

While Biden is urging Congress to approve the military, economic, and humanitarian aid package, incorporating border security provisions into the negotiations has complicated the progress. Johnson conveyed to fellow GOP lawmakers in a closed-door meeting that border policy should be their "hill to die on" during the negotiations, according to a Republican insider.

Conservatives have been advocating for the inclusion of provisions from H.R. 2, a bill passed in May that seeks to resume the construction of walls along the southern border and impose stricter criteria on migrants seeking asylum in the United States.

In the Senate, Majority Leader Chuck Schumer scheduled a test vote on Wednesday for emergency funding directed towards Ukraine, Israel, and other national security needs. However, Republicans are demanding the inclusion of border security provisions in the package. Schumer revealed that Johnson, in a private meeting, made it clear that he couldn't pass the supplemental package through the House without the attachment of H.R. 2.

This discrepancy between the two chambers may jeopardize any potential legislation as a bipartisan group in the Senate attempts to reach a consensus on a more limited set of border policy proposals. Republicans in these negotiations have acknowledged that they are not insisting on the broad policies included in the House's legislation.

Sen. James Lankford of Oklahoma deemed it "not rational" to expect the closely divided Senate to pass a bill that did not gain a single Democratic vote in the House. Lankford emphasized the importance of finding common ground and passing impactful legislation.

Negotiations in the Senate have primarily focused on raising the initial threshold for migrants entering the asylum system, as well as restricting the executive branch's authority to admit migrants through humanitarian parole. However, Democrats have accused Republicans of being unwilling to compromise, prompting them to take a step back from the talks.

In response, Republican senators have made a counter-offer, but have emphasized that they will withhold support for the funding package unless it incorporates border security policy that they find agreeable.

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell has shown no interest in Schumer's "golden offer" that would allow Republicans to propose amendments related to border security. Instead, McConnell has urged all Republican senators to vote against advancing the Biden aid package, highlighting the importance of prioritizing the nation's own border concerns.

Meanwhile, House lawmakers have had the opportunity to hear from national security adviser Jake Sullivan about the urgency of providing assistance. However, Republican representatives in the House remain skeptical of increasing funding for Ukraine and have expressed reservations about supporting it, even if coupled with strict border policies.

The White House has refrained from divulging specifics regarding the ongoing border negotiations but has urged lawmakers to swiftly pass Biden's emergency funding request.

The tense nature of the negotiations has raised concerns amongst lawmakers that Congress may fail to pass the funding package by the end of the year. Senator Chris Murphy of Connecticut expressed his worries, stating, "The world needs to be very concerned about what's happening here. Republicans have decided to hold Ukraine funding hostage to a domestic political priority that is amongst the hardest in American politics to solve."

With varying priorities and demands on the table, the path towards an agreement on Biden's aid package remains uncertain. As Congress continues to navigate these negotiations, the implications for the wars in Ukraine and Israel, as well as national security needs, hang in the balance.