By Megan Lebowitz -
NBC News
President Joe Biden declared on Friday that he was willing to make "massive changes" to border policy and challenged the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Republican Mike Johnson, to join him in addressing the hot button issue.
"I believe we need significant changes in border policy, including
changes to our asylum system
to ensure that we have the powers we need to control the border," Biden said during an event with mayors at the White House.
"I'm ready to act."
President Joe Biden speaks in the East Wing during an event to welcome mayors attending the winter meeting of the United States Conference of Mayors to the White House, on January 19, 2024. Evan Vucci / AP
The president expressed optimism that the Senate can reach a deal on the border next week, adding that he hopes it will be a bipartisan package.
"Now the question is for the president and House Republicans: Are they prepared to act as well? They have to choose whether they want to solve a problem or continue creating an issue to
score political points against the president
," Biden stressed.
"I'm willing to solve the problem. I really am. Massive changes, and I mean that sincerely," he continued.
Johnson's office did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Biden's remarks came during a speech to a bipartisan group of mayors attending a meeting of the U.S. Conference of Mayors at the White House.
The president met with congressional leaders this week to discuss a possible bipartisan deal on immigration that would be tied to approval of aid to Ukraine and Israel.
Before the meeting, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, a Democrat, and Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, a Republican, expressed optimism about the possibility of reaching an agreement.
The White House introduced a $106 billion supplemental funding bill in October, which included aid to Ukraine and Israel, as well as funding for U.S. border operations.
But efforts to pass the bill
were blocked by Republicans
, who said they would oppose it unless the Biden administration made changes to U.S. border and immigration policies.
Biden's management of border policy could influence his chances of re-election.
An NBC News poll conducted in September revealed that, when asked which political party best handles immigration issues,
45% of registered voters chose the Republican Party
, while only 27% opted for the Democrats.
According to a November poll by NBC News, about 14% of voters chose immigration or border security as their top priority.