The dual funding bill that would contain money for Ukraine and border security might be falling apart after Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell said a bipartisan deal is about to crash.
The Kentuckian told Republicans exactly that in a meeting Wednesday, Punchbowl News reported.
The fresh doubt comes as House Republicans are taking pointers from former President Donald Trump, who is using immigration as a top election issue, and are balking at bipartisan discussions. They’re outraged at a package that they say includes amnesty for illegal immigrants.
Mr. McConnell has been one of Ukraine’s biggest advocates for more funding and has been open to the combined border security and supplemental funding deal.
In the closed-door meeting, he referenced Mr. Trump’s hold on the GOP and even referred to him as “the nominee.”
Reports say it’s evident that the former president opposes any emerging bipartisan package, causing his supporters in the House to oppose any discussion of it as well.
“The Trump people want to kill it and run on the issue,” one Senate Republican told The Hill.
Mr. Trump last week on Truth Social warned Republicans not to agree to any border deal “unless we get EVERYTHING needed to shut down the INVASION of Millions & Millions of people.”
• Mallory Wilson can be reached at mwilson@washingtontimes.com.
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