2024-01-28 11:03:00
[Washington = Michio Yoshida]Former President Trump, the leading Republican candidate for the US presidential election in November, is asking Republican lawmakers to reject the compromise proposal for the supplementary budget proposed by Democratic President Biden. Since Mr. Biden has been deeply criticized over the issue of migrants influx from the Mexican border, this strategy is said to be more regarding attacking the presidential election than solving the problem, but it has also been criticized by some Republicans who say it is too selfish.
Former President Trump speaks to supporters in Las Vegas, Nevada, on the 27th (AP)
◆ Compromise plan for border measures combined with support for Ukraine
Reflecting the Biden administration’s policy of being more lenient on immigration, the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) says that the number of illegal immigrants detained at the southwest border with Mexico will increase from 2023 (October 2022 to September 2023). This is the third year in a row that the number of records has been updated.
Growing public dissatisfaction forced Mr. Biden to change course, and in October last year he proposed a supplementary budget that combined strengthened border measures and aid to Ukraine. Opposition to aid to Ukraine remains strong within the Republican Party, but party leaders have been negotiating to reach a compromise that would require stronger border measures.
◆Senate Republicans are distanced from Trump
In response, Trump called on Republican lawmakers to refuse to compromise and reject the compromise. On the 25th, he posted on social networking sites (SNS) and discouraged any movement toward compromise, saying, “If we reach an agreement, it will be a gift to the Democratic Party.”
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, the top Republican in the Senate who has distanced himself from Trump, continues to negotiate with Democrats, and an agreement was reached on the 26th, according to CNN. It is said that details will be announced soon. On the same day, Biden reiterated his call, saying, “If we are serious regarding the crisis at our border, we must pass bipartisan legislation.”
◆ Difficult to object to the “winner” in the presidential election
President Biden speaks in South Carolina on the 27th = AP
However, Mr. Trump is solidifying his position as the Republican candidate in the presidential election, and many members of Congress are on a winning horse, making it difficult to object to Mr. Trump’s wishes.
Particularly in the House of Representatives, Republicans hold a majority and conservative hardliners who align with Mr. Trump have a stronger influence. According to the Associated Press, the top Republican in the House of Representatives, Johnson, sent a letter to members of the House on the 26th criticizing Mr. Biden for expressing a negative view of the border measures being considered by the Senate. There is also the possibility that he will oppose the Senate agreement.
◆Prioritizing presidential election over problem-solving: “I’m really appalled”
Republican Sen. Romney told reporters on the 25th, “I think the border issue is very important to Mr. Trump, but I’m really appalled by the fact that he told Republicans that he didn’t want him to resolve it because he wanted to put the blame on Mr. Biden.” Told.
The original supplementary budget proposal is approximately $100 billion (approximately 15 trillion yen), of which over $60 billion is for aid to Ukraine. The U.S. government’s budget ran out at the end of last year, and aid to Ukraine will become even more difficult if Congress fails to pass a deal.
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