According to Sen. Bill Cassidy, R-La., securing the border and funding for Ukraine are linked as the only way to work with the White House. He said in an “On Balance” interview that the administration would only change if something they care deeply about was tied to it. He suggested that using issues like national security or supporting allies like Ukraine could sway the administration’s position on border control.

President Joe Biden has requested $61.4 billion in wartime funding for Ukraine as part of a $110 billion package that also has money for Israel and other national security priorities. But the request is stuck in a dispute over U.S. immigration policy and border security. The U.S. has already given Ukraine $111 billion for its fight against Russia’s 2022 invasion.

While emphasizing the importance of self-defense and supporting allies, Cassidy blamed the administration for favoring an open-border policy over national security concerns. He said, “We want to help Ukraine, we want to help Israel; I really want to help Israel. We’ve also got to help ourselves.

And this administration doesn’t want to help ourselves.” Questions remain as to whether Republicans can agree on any future funding for Ukraine or Israel without additional border security from the White House as illegal crossings rise, with Congress in its last workweek before the holidays. But some Democrats could also be alienated by any border package. Republicans want changes to the U.S. southern border in exchange, such as stricter asylum standards, narrower humanitarian admission and wider expedited removals.