Bennet tries to keep Senate in to clinch Ukraine-border deal

Sen. Michael Bennet is hoping to keep the Senate in town to finish border negotiations that would unlock Ukraine aid and is willing to flex his procedural muscle to do it, according to a person close to him.

The Colorado Democrat is concerned that Congress might soon leave without finishing its work to increase border security, discussions that are now tied directly to Ukraine aid. He initially held the National Defense Authorization Act, but the Senate agreed to finish that bill on Wednesday afternoon.

Bennet is also considering holding up other legislation, including Federal Aviation Administration extension, which needs to pass before the end of the year. That would need agreement from all 100 senators to pass quickly, and Senate Republicans have already signed off on it, according to a GOP aide. Bennet will not delay confirmation of nominees, the person said.

Bennet “has had numerous conversations with Leader Schumer, the White House, and Republicans on getting to a deal to fund Ukraine. Bennet has a meeting this afternoon with Leader McConnell. He’s been assured things are moving in a positive direction, and has reiterated to leadership that we cannot leave for the holidays without funding Ukraine,” the person said.

There’s new life in those border talks, as the White House and Senate leaders get more firmly engaged and bipartisan negotiators say they are continuing to move forward. But the House is preparing to leave town on Thursday until the new year, with little indication they’ll stick around to pass a supplemental spending bill that includes more cash for Ukraine, Israel, Taiwan and the border.

Many Republicans say once the House leaves it will become impossible to pass a new foreign aid law this year. Still, Sen. Thom Tillis (R-N.C.) said “we should stay here until we reach an agreement or agree that we can’t.”

“My hope is that we stay,” said Sen. Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), the top Democratic border negotiator. “We made progress yesterday and we continue to try to make progress today.”

Katherine Tully-McManus contributed to this report.