Senate negotiators, including Sens. Kyrsten Sinema (I-Ariz.), Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), and James Lankford (R-Okla.), held rare weekend talks on Saturday to discuss border security changes. The negotiations aimed to reach a compromise on border security that could unlock a broader package including aid to Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan. The senators, along with administration officials, including Homeland Security Chief Alejandro Mayorkas, and leadership aides, met for approximately two hours in the morning and spent less than an hour in the afternoon discussing the matter.

Despite not reaching a deal, all the principal negotiators emphasized progress during the talks. They expressed a commitment to continue discussions throughout the weekend and highlighted the complexity and interconnectedness of immigration law, recognizing that drafting the text of a bill would require time for individual and party-wide conversations.

Sen. Murphy stressed the importance of passing a bill by the end of the year and expressed a desire to inform other senators about the details of the negotiations as soon as possible. Sen. Lankford echoed his sentiments and highlighted the technical and slow nature of drafting the text, emphasizing the need for a workable framework by the end of the weekend to facilitate timely voting. Both senators acknowledged the necessity for thorough examination and understanding of the proposed bill given its complexity.

While the senators' staff continued to work on the matter throughout the day, the senators themselves will reconvene on Sunday afternoon. They acknowledged the need for time to review the progress made and engage in further discussions before voting on the proposed bill.

The negotiations took place against a backdrop of a broader package of international aid, including aid to Ukraine, being pushed by Majority Leader Chuck Schumer. While Schumer sent lawmakers home for the weekend, he has underscored his determination to hold a vote on the supplemental international aid package before the holiday break. These negotiations on border security are particularly significant following Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's recent plea for aid amid the ongoing conflict with Russia.

In conclusion, Senate negotiators have continued their discussions on border security changes, showing progress in their efforts to reach a compromise. While a deal has not yet been secured, the negotiators remain committed to finding workable and pragmatic solutions. The complexity of immigration law has presented challenges, necessitating additional time for drafting and review. The negotiations will continue as lawmakers strive to pass a bill before the end of the year.