Biden brought congressional leaders together at the White House at a critical time for Ukraine aid and border deals

President of the United States, Joe BidenOn Wednesday met with the head of the House of Representatives, Michael Johnsonand other congressional leaders to discuss immigration policy at the Mexico border and funding for Ukraine.

Republicans in Congress They have blocked the emergency fund Biden pleaded for Ukraine and threatened to force a partial government shutdown in his effort to strengthen security along the border between the United States and Mexico, while blaming the president’s policies for the record influx of undocumented immigrants.

Biden, a Democrat, also sought to reform the US immigration system Bill Republicans opposed it early in his tenure. The White House is open to new restrictions on who can seek asylum in the United States and expanding deportation powers, but many Democrats oppose such measures.

Johnson told reporters before the meeting that he would press Biden to clarify responsibility for US funding to end the war between Russia and Ukraine and support Kiev.

“But before we talk about Ukraine, I will tell the president what I told you and we have told the American people.: border, border, border. We have to take care of our own house. We have to secure our own border before we talk about doing anything else,” Johnson said.

“We understand there are concerns about Ukraine’s security and sovereignty,” Johnson told reporters after the meeting, which lasted more than an hour. “But the American people are equally concerned about our own domestic sovereignty and our security.”

A Johnson aide said Republicans agreed on the need to confront the Russian president, Vladimir PutinBut securing the American border is considered a more immediate priority.

Biden has requested $61.4 billion In additional funds to supply weapons to Ukraine and replenish US stockpiles. It’s part of a “supplemental” request that also includes $14.3 billion for Israel and $13.6 billion for border security.

“Today’s meeting is about Ukraine. “That’s what we’re going to focus on in this discussion,” a White House spokesman told reporters. John Kirby.

“As the president well knows, we continue to negotiate in good faith and bipartisanly with the Senate, with Republicans and Democrats on Capitol Hill, on a national security supplement … which obviously includes money for border security.”

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, speaking to reporters after the meeting, emphasized that Biden has repeatedly said that he Willing to accept certain border measures And any effort in a divided Congress must be bipartisan. House Republicans have pushed for passage of tougher border security measures that lack Democratic support on Capitol Hill.

“There was great agreement on the table that we need to take care of Ukraine and we need to take care of the border,” he said.

(With information from Reuters and AP)