WASHINGTON — President Joe Biden said Friday he’s ready to make “massive changes” to border policy and called on House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La. hot button problem.
“I believe we need significant policy changes at the border, including changes to our asylum system so that we have the authorities we need to control the border,” Biden said at a White House event with mayors. “And I’m ready to move.”
President expressed his optimism He added that he hoped the Senate could come to a border deal as early as next week and that it would be a bipartisan package.
“The question now is for the speaker and House Republicans: Are they ready to act? They have to choose whether they want to solve the problem or weaponize it to score political points against the president,” Biden said.
“I’m ready to solve the problem. Really. Massive changes, and I mean it sincerely,” he continued.
Johnson’s office did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Biden said these words during a speech to a bipartisan group of mayors participating in the US Conference of Mayors held at the White House.
The president met with congressional leaders this week to discuss a potential bipartisan immigration deal to split aid to Ukraine and Israel. Before the meeting, the leader of the Senate majority DN.Y. and Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., said they were optimistic about reaching an agreement.
The White House announced a $106 billion in additional funding Bill in October help included Funding for Ukraine and Israel as well as US border operations. But efforts to pass the bill have been blocked by Republicans who have said they will oppose the Biden administration unless it changes US border and immigration policies.
Biden’s handling of border policy could affect his re-election chances. Moment NBC News survey A September survey found that when asked which political party did a better job on immigration, 45% of registered voters chose the GOP, compared to just 27% for the Democrats. About 14% of single-issue voters chose immigration or border security as their top priority, according to a November poll. NBC News.
Rebecca Kaplan contributed.