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Republican Sen. James Lankford of Oklahoma has taken on one of Congress’s most thankless and politically risky jobs: leading negotiations to overhaul the country’s immigration laws. Democrats and Republicans agree that a fix is overdue—the last major changes were passed in 1986. Past rounds of talks have gotten nowhere because the issue is so charged and the system so legally complex that any rewrites of the law risk cascading and unintended effects. Now Lankford is one of a trio of senators taking another crack at it, as migrant apprehensions at the Southern U.S. border hit a record 250,000 a month.

Persons: Sen, James Lankford of Organizations: Southern Locations: James Lankford of Oklahoma, Southern U.S

Persons: Sen, James Lankford of Organizations: Southern Locations: James Lankford of Oklahoma, Southern U.S

☆ Tommy Tuberville Backs Down in Fight Over Military Promotions
▼ + stars: | 2023-12-05 | by ( Lindsay Wise | Nancy A. Youssef | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

Alabama Sen. Tommy Tuberville lost the support of some of his fellow Republicans over his hold on military promotions. Photo: Kevin Dietsch/Getty ImagesWASHINGTON—Alabama Sen. Tommy Tuberville ended his monthslong hold on nearly all military promotions, saying he would allow hundreds of officers to move forward, while still demanding individual votes for about a dozen four-star generals and admirals. “I’m not going to hold the promotions of these people any longer. We just released them, everybody,” Tuberville told reporters Tuesday. “I think about 440 of them, everybody but 10 or 11, four stars.”

Persons: Alabama Sen, Tommy Tuberville, Kevin Dietsch, WASHINGTON — Alabama Sen, “ I’m, ” Tuberville, “, ” Organizations: Getty, WASHINGTON — Locations: Alabama, WASHINGTON — Alabama

☆ Mike Johnson Becomes Surprise Champion of More Ukraine Aid
▼ + stars: | 2023-12-02 | by ( Lindsay Wise | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

Speaker Mike Johnson has repeatedly called Ukraine aid a critical priority for the House. Photo: Drew Angerer/Getty ImagesWASHINGTON—Less than one month before Mike Johnson ’s sudden ascent to the speakership, the Louisiana Republican, then a little-known member, joined with most GOP lawmakers to vote against $300 million in U.S. security assistance for Ukraine. Now, as speaker, Johnson has surprised many on Capitol Hill by publicly and repeatedly calling Ukraine aid a critical priority for the House.

Persons: Mike Johnson, Drew Angerer, Mike Johnson ’, Johnson Organizations: Getty, WASHINGTON, Louisiana Republican Locations: Ukraine, Louisiana

☆ Senate Races to Finish Border Talks, Pass Ukraine, Israel Aid
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-28 | by ( Lindsay Wise | Michelle Hackman | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

President Biden’s foreign-aid proposal includes money to speed up processing of migrants at the U.S.-Mexico border. Photo: mike blake/ReutersWASHINGTON—Senate Republicans and Democrats are headed for a showdown over the government’s power to admit immigrants into the U.S. on humanitarian grounds, one element of tougher border restrictions GOP lawmakers are demanding to win their support for President Biden’s aid package for Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan. While bipartisan talks have made progress on tightening the initial screening process for migrants seeking asylum—a central demand of Republicans—a separate policy known as humanitarian parole has now emerged as a sticking point in negotiations, lawmakers said.

Persons: Biden’s, blake, — Organizations: WASHINGTON —, Republicans Locations: U.S, Mexico, Ukraine, Israel, Taiwan

☆ Senators’ Top Target in Border Talks: Tighter Asylum Rules for Migrants
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-26 | by ( Michelle Hackman | Lindsay Wise | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

Overhauling the immigration system has long been one of the thorniest tasks before Congress. Photo: Go Nakamura/ReutersWASHINGTON—Tightening the initial standard immigrants must meet when applying for asylum could form the basis of a bipartisan border agreement in the Senate, where a group of lawmakers is racing to strike a deal before the end of this year that could unlock billions of dollars in aid to Ukraine. Senate Republicans have demanded a crackdown on asylum at the U.S.-Mexico border as a condition for backing President Biden’s request for emergency funding for Ukraine, part of a $106 billion proposal that also includes aid for Israel and Taiwan as well as money to bolster the immigration system. Senate Democrats have acknowledged that changes to border policy will likely be part of any deal.

Persons: Go Nakamura, Biden’s Organizations: Reuters, Senate, Senate Republicans Locations: Reuters WASHINGTON, Ukraine, U.S, Mexico, Israel, Taiwan

WASHINGTON— Mike Johnson ’s grace period is likely over with House Republicans, with griping and obstructionism firing up again from different wings of his party, undercutting his efforts to unify the GOP heading into a rebooted budget fight. After winning the gavel in late October, the Louisiana Republican averted a crisis this past week and passed a short-term spending bill that funds the government through early next year. But to do so, the new speaker had to rely on large numbers of Democrats, with 95 members of his own party voting against that deal because they said it did too little to cut federal spending or secure the border.

Persons: WASHINGTON, Mike Johnson ’ Organizations: House Republicans, Louisiana Republican Locations: Louisiana

The U.S. government narrowly averted shutting down—again. WSJ explains why the growing divide in Congress is leading to threats of a shutdown nearly every year. Photo illustration: Madeline MarshallWASHINGTON—Congressional shutdown brinkmanship is taking a break, but it could be back with a vengeance soon. Faced with a government-funding deadline this weekend, House lawmakers of both parties agreed Tuesday to back a short-term plan that simply extends the status quo until early next year, rather than stage another bare-knuckle fight now over spending and policy priorities.

Persons: —, Madeline Marshall WASHINGTON Organizations: Congressional

WSJ explains why the growing divide in Congress is leading to threats of a shutdown nearly every year. Photo illustration: Madeline MarshallWASHINGTON—Congressional shutdown brinkmanship is taking a break, but it could be back with a vengeance soon. Faced with a government-funding deadline this weekend, House lawmakers of both parties agreed Tuesday to back a short-term Republican plan that extends the status quo until early next year, rather than stage another bare-knuckle fight now over spending and policy priorities. The far-less-pugnacious Senate followed Wednesday, approving the proposal 87 to 11. The bill now goes to President Biden for his signature.

Persons: —, Madeline Marshall WASHINGTON, Biden Organizations: Congressional

☆ Capitol Hill Targets Legacy Preferences for College Admissions
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-07 | by ( Lindsay Wise | Jennifer Calfas | ) www.wsj.com time to read: +1 min

Changes to the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or Fafsa, will allow people to make contributions to their 401(k) without it impacting the amount of financial aid they receive. WSJ personal-finance reporter Oyin Adedoyin joins host J.R. Whalen to discuss. PHOTO: ISTOCKWASHINGTON—Senators are taking fresh aim at legacy and donor preferences for admission to college, as advantages given to certain students and groups come under increasing scrutiny following a recent Supreme Court ruling striking down the use of race in college admissions. and Tim Kaine (D., Va.)—called the MERIT Act—would try to end legacy admissions at colleges and universities. The bipartisan legislation would add a new standard for accreditation under the Higher Education Act that would prohibit institutions from giving preferential treatment during the admissions process based on an applicant’s relationship to alumni or donors.

Persons: Oyin Adedoyin, Whalen, Todd Young, Tim Kaine, — Organizations: Federal Student Aid, WASHINGTON —, Sens, Higher Locations: Ind, Va

☆ Senate Republicans Demand U.S. Border Clampdown as Condition for Ukraine Aid
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-06 | by ( Michelle Hackman | Lindsay Wise | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

Illegal border crossings have reached records over the past two years. The one-page proposal, put forward by a group of Republican senators including Sens. James Lankford (R., Okla.), Lindsey Graham (R., S.C.) and Tom Cotton (R., Ark. ), represents the opening bid in negotiations with Senate Democrats and the White House, which has signaled some openness to immigration-policy changes. Biden’s request included money for border operations, but didn’t include any policy changes.

Persons: Gregory Bull, Biden’s, James Lankford, Lindsey Graham, Tom Cotton Organizations: Associated Press WASHINGTON, Senate Republicans, Senate Democrats, White Locations: Israel, Ukraine, Sens

☆ House Passes GOP’s Israel Aid Package as Disputes Simmer Over Ukraine, Border
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-02 | by ( Lindsay Wise | Siobhan Hughes | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

The House passed Republicans’ $14.3 billion Israel-aid bill on Thursday, although Senate Democrats have warned that the bill will be dead on arrival in their chamber. President Biden also said he would veto the measure. Photo: Michael Brochstein/Zuma PressWASHINGTON—The House passed Republicans’ $14.3 billion Israel-aid bill on Thursday, setting up a fight with the Democratic-controlled Senate, which is pursuing a much larger package that includes assistance to Ukraine. The measure was approved 226-196 in a largely party-line vote that masked broad underlying U.S. support for sending weapons and financing to Israel.

Persons: Biden, Michael Brochstein, Zuma Press WASHINGTON Organizations: Republicans ’, Zuma Press, Democratic Locations: Israel, Ukraine

☆ House to Vote on Israel Aid as Disputes Simmer Over Ukraine Funding, Border
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-02 | by ( Lindsay Wise | Siobhan Hughes | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

Israeli soldiers serviced a tank gun near Gaza on Thursday. Photo: abir sultan/ShutterstockWASHINGTON—The House is set to vote Thursday afternoon on Republicans’ $14.3 billion Israel aid proposal, kicking off a legislative fight complicated by growing disagreements about assistance for Ukraine and debates over how to better secure the U.S. border. Aid for Israel as it battles militant group Hamas in Gaza has overwhelming support in Congress, but the House bill is contentious because it also strips out money from the Internal Revenue Service and ignores the Biden administration’s request for funding for Ukraine. Senate Democrats warn that the House bill will be dead on arrival in their chamber, and President Biden has said he would veto the measure if it reaches his desk.

Persons: Biden Organizations: Shutterstock WASHINGTON, ’, Hamas, Internal Revenue Service, Ukraine, Democrats Locations: Gaza, Shutterstock, Israel, Ukraine, U.S

☆ Republican Senators Confront Tommy Tuberville Over Blocked Military Promotions
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-01 | by ( Lindsay Wise | Nancy A. Youssef | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

Sen. Tommy Tuberville has vowed not to let the Senate fast-track confirmations of military promotions, as is traditionally done, until the Pentagon ends its abortion policy. Photo: will oliver/ShutterstockWASHINGTON—Republican senators ran out of patience Wednesday night with Alabama Sen. Tommy Tuberville’s monthslong hold on hundreds of military promotions. In a dramatic showdown, a group of Tuberville’s fellow Republicans, most of whom have military backgrounds, took to the Senate floor to try to confirm dozens of those promotions, one by one, by voice vote, as growing GOP anger with Tuberville’s hold spilled out into public view after months of private entreaties.

Persons: Sen, Tommy Tuberville, oliver, Shutterstock, Alabama Sen, Tommy Tuberville’s monthslong Organizations: Senate, Pentagon, Shutterstock WASHINGTON, Alabama

Sen. Tommy Tuberville began blocking promotions for hundreds of military leaders earlier this year. Photo: Kevin Dietsch/Getty ImagesWASHINGTON—Sen. Tommy Tuberville , who has held up hundreds of military promotions, is asking his colleagues to support an effort to quickly confirm Lt. Gen. Christopher Mahoney as second-in-command to the U.S. Marine Corps after its top officer collapsed during a jog on Sunday and was taken to the hospital, according to a senior Senate aide. Mahoney was nominated by the White House in July but had yet to be confirmed by the Senate along with hundreds of other senior officers’ promotions who remain frozen by Tuberville, an Alabama Republican, in a political battle over the Pentagon’s abortion policy.

Persons: Sen, Tommy Tuberville, Kevin Dietsch, WASHINGTON — Sen, Christopher Mahoney, Mahoney Organizations: Getty, WASHINGTON, U.S . Marine Corps, White, Alabama Republican Locations: Alabama

☆ Mitch McConnell Hopeful New Speaker Mike Johnson Will Back Ukraine Aid
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-30 | by ( Lindsay Wise | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell on Capitol Hill last week. Photo: Stephanie Scarbrough/Associated PressWASHINGTON—Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R., Ky.) said he is optimistic that newly elected Speaker Mike Johnson will back more U.S. aid to Ukraine, as the House moves this week to advance a funding bill that provides $14.3 billion to help Israel to fight Hamas but no money for Kyiv in the war against Russia. “I’m hopeful that he will decide that it was important to support Ukraine, as well,” said McConnell, adding the two would talk about the issue later this week.

Persons: Mitch McConnell, Stephanie Scarbrough, Mike Johnson, Israel, “, ”, McConnell Organizations: Capitol, Associated Press WASHINGTON, Kyiv, Russia Locations: Ky, Ukraine

☆ GOP Senators Propose Bill Splitting Off Israel Aid From Ukraine Funding
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-26 | by ( Lindsay Wise | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

Sen. Roger Marshall argues that separating Israel aid would prevent it from being bogged down in the House. Photo: Michael Brochstein/Zuma PressWASHINGTON—A group of Republican senators introduced a stand-alone bill that would send billions of dollars in aid to Israel but not Ukraine, underscoring the challenges facing a much larger $106 billion Biden administration proposal that includes more funding for Kyiv. The group of GOP senators argues that separating the Israel aid would prevent the assistance from being bogged down in the House, where the number of Republicans opposed to funding Ukraine aid is growing, and now makes up more than half the GOP conference.

Persons: Sen, Roger Marshall, Michael Brochstein, Zuma Press WASHINGTON Organizations: Zuma Press, Biden, Kyiv, GOP Locations: Israel, Ukraine

☆ New Speaker Mike Johnson’s To-Do List: A Looming Funding Deadline and Israel, Ukraine Aid
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-26 | by ( Kristina Peterson | Lindsay Wise | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

House Republicans elected Rep. Mike Johnson of Louisiana as speaker of the House on Wednesday, more than three weeks after Kevin McCarthy was ousted. Photo: Reuters/Elizabeth FrantzWASHINGTON—The House is back open for business. But getting legislation through it—much less agreeing with the Democratic Senate and President Biden—won’t be easy for brand-new Speaker of the House Mike Johnson , with major deadlines less than a month away. After 22 days of GOP infighting, the Louisiana Republican secured his post Wednesday without any opposition from his fellow House Republicans. That unity will be tested soon, with lawmakers facing a slew of policy and political challenges, including a government funding deadline in three weeks, aid requests for Israel and Ukraine and a farm bill that has already expired.

Persons: Mike Johnson of, Kevin McCarthy, Elizabeth Frantz WASHINGTON, Biden — won’t, Mike Johnson Organizations: Republicans, Reuters, Democratic Senate, Louisiana Republican Locations: Mike Johnson of Louisiana, Louisiana, Israel, Ukraine

☆ House Set to Vote on GOP Speaker Nominee Mike Johnson
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-25 | by ( Lindsay Wise | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

Watch live coverage of the House vote to choose a new speaker, following the ouster of Rep. Kevin McCarthy. House Republicans have chosen Rep. Mike Johnson as their nominee. WASHINGTON—House Republicans plan to hold a vote on the floor Wednesday afternoon to try to install Rep. Mike Johnson of Louisiana as speaker, after three weeks of paralysis following the ouster of Rep. Kevin McCarthy (R., Calif.). The House is unable to legislate until a new speaker is elected. Lawmakers are eager to get back to work, with many eager to pass aid to Israel and address a looming government-funding deadline next month.

Persons: Kevin McCarthy, Mike Johnson, Mike Johnson of Organizations: House Republicans, WASHINGTON —, Republicans, Lawmakers Locations: Mike Johnson of Louisiana, Calif, Israel

House Republicans elected Rep. Mike Johnson of Louisiana as speaker of the House on Wednesday, more than three weeks after Kevin McCarthy was ousted. Photo: Chip Somodevilla/Getty ImagesWASHINGTON—The House elected GOP Rep. Mike Johnson of Louisiana as speaker, elevating a staunch conservative to the top post after three weeks of Republican infighting doomed other candidates aiming to succeed ousted leader Kevin McCarthy. The choice of Johnson, a close ally of former President Donald Trump, came after the party cycled through a series of hopefuls, prompting some members to wonder whether any colleague could thread the needle in the deeply divided conference. With a speaker now in place, lawmakers can finally get back to work, with many eager to pass aid for Israel and address a looming government-funding deadline next month.

Persons: Mike Johnson of, Kevin McCarthy, Chip Somodevilla, Johnson, Donald Trump Organizations: Republicans, Getty, WASHINGTON, The Locations: Mike Johnson of Louisiana, Israel

Rep. Jim Jordan of Ohio was removed as GOP nominee for speaker in a secret ballot after he lost his third bid on Friday. Rep. Kevin McCarthy, the previous speaker, was ousted three weeks ago. Photo: Valerie Plesch/BloombergWASHINGTON—Republicans sought to end a three-week-old political crisis by picking a House speaker nominee who could finally garner a majority of the chamber, with plans to hold a party vote Tuesday morning and hopes to move to the floor as soon as later in the day. Weary from weeks of fighting and embarrassing setbacks, House Republicans will meet behind closed doors to choose from among eight Republicans currently running to serve as House speaker. Lawmakers are eager to get back to work, with many wanting to pass aid to Israel and address a looming government funding deadline, neither of which can be done until a new leader is approved by the full chamber.

Persons: Jim Jordan of, Kevin McCarthy, Valerie Plesch Organizations: Bloomberg WASHINGTON —, Republicans Locations: Jim Jordan of Ohio, Israel

☆ GOP Senators Demand Changes to Biden’s Ukraine, Israel, Border Package
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-24 | by ( Lindsay Wise | ) www.wsj.com time to read: +1 min

Rep. Jim Jordan of Ohio was removed as GOP nominee for speaker in a secret ballot after he lost his third bid on Friday. Rep. Kevin McCarthy, the previous speaker, was ousted more than two weeks ago. Photo: Valerie Plesch/BloombergWASHINGTON—Senate Republicans want changes to the Biden administration’s request for $106 billion in emergency funds for Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan and to manage the flow of migrants at the U.S. border, setting up tricky negotiations that could imperil the bill even before it runs headlong into the currently paralyzed House. The administration’s proposal includes about $61 billion for Ukraine, another $14 billion for Israel for security needs, and about $9 billion for humanitarian assistance to both conflict theaters, among other requests. It also includes about $2 billion for security assistance in the Indo-Pacific and $14 billion for the border, which would pay for more efficient processing of migrants seeking asylum, more border patrol agents and asylum officers, and reimbursements to cities and private organizations that have set up shelters.

Persons: Jim Jordan of, Kevin McCarthy, Valerie Plesch, Biden Organizations: Bloomberg WASHINGTON — Locations: Jim Jordan of Ohio, Ukraine, Israel, Taiwan, U.S

Rep. Jim Jordan of Ohio was removed as GOP nominee for speaker in a secret ballot after he lost his third bid on Friday. Rep. Kevin McCarthy, the previous speaker, was ousted three weeks ago. Photo: Valerie Plesch/BloombergWASHINGTON—Republicans narrowly chose House Majority Whip Tom Emmer (R., Minn.) as their nominee for speaker on Tuesday, but his bid to win the gavel immediately ran into trouble, with hard-line conservatives and former President Donald Trump inveighing against him. The developments set the stage for an exasperating replay of previous rounds in the speaker drama, in which a nominee won the party’s nod only to be derailed by a determined band of holdouts, threatening to extend a three-week-old political crisis that began with the ouster of former Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R., Calif.) at the start of month.

Persons: Jim Jordan of, Kevin McCarthy, Valerie Plesch, Tom Emmer, Donald Trump inveighing Organizations: Bloomberg WASHINGTON — Republicans Locations: Jim Jordan of Ohio, Minn, Calif

Rep. Jim Jordan of Ohio was removed as GOP nominee for speaker in a secret ballot after he lost his third bid on Friday. Rep. Kevin McCarthy, the previous speaker, was ousted more than two weeks ago. Photo: Valerie Plesch/BloombergHouse Republicans haven’t settled on a consensus candidate for speaker, but many emerged from a meeting Monday with guarded optimism that they will be able to rally behind whoever clinches the nomination after three weeks of public feuding. Lawmakers met Monday night to hear proposals from candidates who explained their strategy for unifying a fractured group and executing legislative priorities such as cutting federal spending and increasing border security. A GOP vote to select the party’s nominee is scheduled for Tuesday morning, with a floor vote of the full House expected in coming days.

Persons: Jim Jordan of, Kevin McCarthy, Valerie Plesch, Republicans haven’t, Lawmakers Organizations: Bloomberg, Republicans, GOP Locations: Jim Jordan of Ohio

Patrick McHenry and Jim Jordan consulted on speaker talks in the House Wednesday. Photo: Tom Williams/Zuma PressWASHINGTON—GOP speaker designee Jim Jordan is throwing his support behind a plan to put caretaker speaker Patrick McHenry in charge of the House until January, according to a person familiar with the matter, a plan that could reopen the House after a two-week impasse. Rank-and-file GOP lawmakers had started to lose patience with the Ohio Republican’s efforts to continue his campaign after losses on two consecutive ballots. There will be no third vote Thursday, but Jordan plans to stay in the race. The plan would give him several months to build support for his bid while allowing the House to move forward with key votes expected on Israel and Ukraine aid and keeping the government funded.

Persons: Patrick McHenry, Jim Jordan, Tom Williams, Jordan Organizations: Zuma Press WASHINGTON, GOP Locations: Ohio, Israel, Ukraine

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