Senate Democrats are preparing to return to D.C. on Monday and hope to finalize negotiations on linking border security with Ukraine funding next week, according to senators and people briefed on a party meeting.
The Senate was scheduled to start recess as soon as Thursday, but Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer indicated to Democrats at a caucus meeting that border negotiations are progressing enough to warrant keeping the chamber in session. Ukraine and U.S. officials have urgently pushed to pass additional aid to the country by the end of the year, which Republicans say they won’t approve without significant changes to border policy.
“The expectation after this caucus meeting is we’re going to come back next week and try to finish this thing … and hopefully have something to vote on,” said Sen. Cory Booker (D-N.J.). Negotiators are expected to continue talking this week and over the weekend.
