Washington — Capitol Hill lawmakers on how to advance a pandemic aid package in the election year debate over immigration, even when Congress is barreling for a $ 40 billion swift approval of emergency aid to Ukraine I continue to struggle.
The White House has repeatedly demanded packages of vaccines, remedies and other remedies for $ 22.5 billion at home and abroad, warning of the disastrous consequences of omissions. However, smaller packages got stuck in the Senate as the Republicans demanded that they pay for the new coronavirus as conservatives promoted the inclusion of words to maintain immigration restrictions at national borders.
Some Senate Democrats are now willing to vote on an amendment requiring the government to revive an emergency public health order that has restricted immigration since the start of the pandemic if it allows the passage of the coronavirus aid package. is showing. The Biden administration announced on May 23 that it would lift the order known as Title 42.
The shift will come later President Biden told Democratic leaders this week Ukraine’s aid and pandemic fund in a single step, reflecting concerns from both parties that the roaring politics of the coronavirus package could delay further support for Ukraine in the fight against Russia. Stop trying to combine.
Senator Chris Murphy, a Connecticut Democrat, said the bill was “I think it’s more motivated to raise it and get the amendments needed to reach the final vote.” But consider liberals sticking to ending the Title 42 policy, which empowers border authorities to expedite undocumented migrants, even if they seek asylum. And it’s unclear if it will upset the package.
Liberals in both chambers expressed quiet frustration that pandemic aid was hampered by demands for payment and the fight for immigrants. Urgent Ukrainian aid cleared home on Tuesday Within 12 hours of the law being published.
The White House is also frustrating.Mr. Biden is inviting Thursday’s Global Covid-19 Summit It aims to revitalize the delayed global response. Excludes $ 10 billion compromise package Funding to help other countries fight the pandemic..
And, as many experts predict, if the infection surges in the fall and winter months, $ 10 billion is not enough to meet the domestic needs of vaccines, medicines and treatments, officials say. increase.The White House says it’s in preparation 100 million Americans Being infected during those months. The figure is based on an external model. Still, the White House is preparing for a reduced vaccination campaign in case Congress doesn’t approve the money.
Majority leader Chuck Schumer, a New York senator, refused to say on Tuesday whether he would agree to a revised vote for Title 42, and gave reporters a bill that the House would approve in the coming days. He said he would wait to see and blamed Republican demands. ..
“Our Republican friends shouldn’t interfere with Covid’s law,” he said. “I don’t know if they can get in the way. I don’t even know if they want to go through it.”
Other Democrats have acknowledged that it may be necessary to vote on an immigration amendment with the support of both Republicans and centrists to secure coronavirus assistance. “Schumer tried to take us to a situation where it wasn’t called,” said Richard J. Durbin, Senator of the Second Democratic Party of Illinois, referring to the title 42 vote. “There are some things he can’t achieve …”
Due to multiple proceedings on various aspects of public health regulations, it may not be the only way the law will come into force after May 23.
A package was made between Schumer and other Republicans as some Democrats are pushing to revive global vaccination efforts and other funding aids left behind. It is unclear if it will grow from a $ 10 billion trade in domestic pandemic spending. Republicans are opposed to increasing that amount.
Senator Mitt Romney, a Utah Republican and key negotiator behind the $ 10 billion bill, said on Tuesday, “No, I’ve traded at 10. Let’s get it done.” That said, I rejected the possibility of supporting larger packages.
“I’m anxious to vote for the Covid package as soon as possible,” he added.
Cheryl Gay Stolberg When Irene Sullivan Report that contributed.
