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House Democratic leaders have announced that they will block any effort to remove Speaker Mike Johnson, a Republican from Louisiana, from his position. This comes after Johnson faced criticism from GOP colleagues for relying on Democratic votes to pass major legislation and failing to secure a border crackdown. The Democratic leaders stated that their party would step in to save Johnson's job if Republicans tried to remove him. Johnson has pledged to continue governing as a conservative Republican and expressed his commitment to his principles. [Extracted from the article]

Senators have abandoned a $118 billion national-security and border package after facing opposition from Republicans, leaving aid to Ukraine in jeopardy. Democrats are frustrated with what they perceive as a bait and switch by Republicans, while GOP lawmakers argue that the deal's border provisions are insufficient. Both sides are considering a narrower bill focused on foreign assistance and weapons. The collapse of the deal could lead to a Plan B for Ukraine, as the European Union has already agreed to a budget-aid package. [Extracted from the article]

Former President Donald Trump's hard-line stance on immigration is endangering funding for Ukraine, as he has worked to erode GOP support for a months-long effort to pair aid for Kyiv with changes to U.S. border law. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell acknowledged the challenges of reaching an agreement on immigration in an election year, expressing concern about harming GOP presidential candidates' chances. While some lawmakers reject the idea that election-year politics and Trump's influence should derail the effort, it is clear that any agreement on illegal immigration is hanging by a thread. [Extracted from the article]

Congressional leaders, including House Speaker Mike Johnson and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, expressed cautious optimism after a meeting with President Biden at the White House regarding a potential deal combining tighter border security with aid for Ukraine. Johnson emphasized the need for border security as a top priority, while Schumer highlighted the importance of addressing both Ukraine aid and border issues quickly. Biden warned that failing to fund Ukraine could have global consequences. While negotiations are ongoing, passing legislation funding the government is a current focus to avoid a partial government shutdown. [Extracted from the article]

The Pentagon's funding for weapons and ammunition for Ukraine has run dry due to a stalemate over U.S. border policy. As a result, Ukraine's troops are running out of ammunition just as Russia intensifies its attacks. The White House has requested $45 billion for security assistance, but Senate Republicans are demanding border-policy changes in return. Without an influx of weapons and ammunition, Ukraine could find itself in a dire situation, potentially losing more territory to Russia. The Pentagon has no money to replenish its stocks, leaving Ukraine to rely on its own arms industry and European allies. [Extracted from the article]

The Senate has adjourned for the year without reaching an agreement on border policy, despite ongoing negotiations. A bipartisan group of Senate negotiators has been working to strike a deal on the southern border, which Republicans have demanded as a condition for supporting Democrats' security package for Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan. While progress has been made, the complexity of the issue has made it difficult to reach a quick resolution. Negotiations will continue over the holiday break, with a goal of voting on a deal early next year. The contentious nature of border and immigration policy, particularly in an election year, poses additional challenges to passing any legislation. [Extracted from the article]

Mike Johnson, the recently elected House speaker, has surprised many by publicly advocating for Ukraine aid, despite previously voting against it. Johnson has emphasized the importance of assisting Ukraine in countering Vladimir Putin's influence in Europe, but has also stressed that Democrats must agree to border policy changes demanded by Republicans. The fate of the aid package, which includes funding for the Ukraine war effort and replenishing U.S. weapon stocks, rests with Johnson in the House, where a divided Republican majority has struggled to advance party-line spending bills. Johnson's stance on Ukraine and his ability to secure funding could shape the future of the embattled country. [Extracted from the article]

Senate Republicans and Democrats are engaged in negotiations over the government's power to admit immigrants into the U.S. on humanitarian grounds. This issue is a key element in the discussions surrounding President Biden's aid package for Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan. While progress has been made on tightening the initial screening process for asylum seekers, the policy of humanitarian parole has become a sticking point. Democrats hold a slim majority in the Senate, but 60 votes are needed to advance any aid package. The negotiations are ongoing, and both parties are working towards a resolution. [Extracted from the article]

Some Republicans reiterated their criticism of U.S. aid to Ukraine after Mr. Zelensky's anti-corruption moves. Keywords: wsjworld; ukraine; Political/General News; National/Public Security; Corruption; Crime/Legal Action; Financial Crime; Politics/International Relations; Domestic Politics; Risk News EN wsjworld ukraine Political/General News National/Public Security Corruption Crime/Legal Action Financial Crime Politics/International Relations Domestic Politics Risk News N.PAG N.PAG 1 01/30/23 20230125 NES 230125 Leader seeks to sustain Western backing for Kyiv in war with Russia Graph: President Volodymyr Zelensky paid tribute to fallen Ukrainian soldiers in Lviv, Ukraine, earlier this month. [Extracted from the article]

Congress has passed legislation to extend government funding into March, ensuring that federal workers will remain on the job. However, this does not address the underlying political pressures related to high U.S. debt levels, record crossings at the southern border, and the ongoing war in Ukraine. The bill provides funding for various departments and agencies through March 1, with the rest of the government funded through March 8. Congressional leaders will use this extension to work on full-year spending bills for fiscal year 2024. The passage of the bill highlights the divisions within the Republican Party and the challenges faced by House Speaker Mike Johnson in maintaining party unity. [Extracted from the article]

Senate negotiators are working on a deal to tighten immigration rules in exchange for providing aid to Ukraine. The White House has indicated that President Biden is willing to enact hard-line immigration policies to unlock the aid. However, this compromise is facing opposition from both liberal and conservative lawmakers, making it difficult for the deal to pass Congress. The emerging compromise includes funding for Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan, as well as new expulsion authority at the border and stricter asylum rules. Many Democrats and immigration activists view these concessions as cruel and a betrayal of Biden's campaign promises. Republicans, on the other hand, are pushing for the reinstatement of the Trump-era Remain in Mexico policy and stricter asylum qualifications. The prospects for passage in the GOP-controlled House are tough, and any deal would need to win support from both GOP leaders and enough Democrats. [Extracted from the article]

Senate negotiators are making progress towards a deal on changes to U.S. border policy, with the White House offering concessions to win Republican support for separate legislation funding Ukraine. The deal would address the issue of record numbers of migrants crossing the southern border and GOP lawmakers' demand for changes in immigration policy in exchange for aid to Ukraine. The White House offer includes creating a new expulsion power at the border, raising the initial threshold for asylum seekers, and expanding rapid-deportation authority. Negotiators are working towards reaching a deal before the end of the year. [Extracted from the article]

Zelensky says Ukraine has urgent need to rebuild housing, schools and power plants. [Extracted from the article]