Sen. Ron Johnson criticized Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer for reintroducing a failed U.S.-Mexico border bill, calling it a "political ploy" to provide Democrats with political cover. Johnson accused Schumer of disingenuous negotiations and claimed the bill's failure was used to criticize Republicans and bolster President Biden's position on border security. The bill was voted down again in the Senate with a 43-50 vote.
Senate Republicans, led by Sen. Marsha Blackburn, criticized Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and Democrats for reviving a border bill they previously rejected, calling it counterproductive and a political stunt. They argue the bill focuses on processing migrants rather than securing the border and claim President Biden already has the authority to strengthen border security. Schumer defends the bill as a bipartisan effort, but it is expected to fail a test vote, with both Republicans and some Democrats opposing it.
The White House has accused congressional Republicans of siding with fentanyl traffickers by opposing a bipartisan border security bill, which includes measures to curb illegal immigration and fentanyl smuggling. The bill, which failed a Senate vote in February, is set to be reintroduced but faces strong GOP opposition. Republicans argue the bill does not adequately address border security and would perpetuate high levels of illegal immigration.
Rep. Tony Gonzales criticized President Biden's frustration over a defeated border bill, stating that the president's words don't align with his actions and pushing back on Biden's call for Congress to pass the bipartisan bill. Gonzales emphasized that the Senate failed to bring the bill to a vote and criticized the bill for potentially allowing 5,000 people to come over illegally, stating that the number should always be zero.
West Virginia Sen. Joe Manchin cited the failure of a bipartisan border and foreign aid bill in the Senate as the main reason for his decision not to run for president, expressing frustration with the gridlock in Congress. The centrist Democrat, who had considered a third-party campaign, announced his decision to focus on promoting moderate politics through a new group called Americans Together. Manchin also declined to endorse President Joe Biden and criticized him for being too liberal, while expressing reluctance to support any effort that would help former President Donald Trump return to the White House.
Senator Jon Tester criticizes fellow lawmakers for failing to pass a bipartisan border bill, leading to potential release of thousands of detainees by ICE due to budget shortfall. The bill also included funding for border security, aid for Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan. Tester argues that the consequences are "entirely preventable" and calls on Congress to prioritize national security over political games, while Republicans and Democrats continue to clash over detention bed capacity and funding for ICE.
Bipartisan House lawmakers are in the final stages of negotiating a bill that would provide military aid and address border security issues. The legislation aims to address the needs of both parties and is expected to be finalized soon.
After the failure of a Senate border bill that would have erased a $700 million budget shortfall, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is considering mass releases of detainees and slashing detention levels from 38,000 beds to 22,000 to save money. The budget crunch and proposal present a challenge for the Biden administration as illegal crossings at the southern border are expected to spike. House Republicans impeached Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas over his border record, and immigration remains President Biden’s worst-rated issue in polls. The proposed border funding bill included new enforcement powers and resources sought by Republicans, but its failure has led to a reversal of traditional partisan politics on immigration.
Senator Chris Murphy shares insights into the collapse of the bipartisan border bill negotiation, highlighting the roles of Senators Lankford and Sinema, the intense pressure, and the disappointment of the bill's failure. He discusses the White House's involvement, the impact on immigration discussions, and the contrast between Democrats' desire to solve border issues and Republicans' exploitation of the situation.
Senator Lindsey Graham and Senator Krysten Sinema engaged in a heated exchange on the Senate floor after Sinema accused Graham of hypocrisy for voting to kill debate on a bipartisan border bill that she helped negotiate. Graham defended his vote, claiming that the bill was insufficient and criticizing the lack of a proper debate process. The exchange escalated as Sinema repeatedly pressed Graham for explanations, leading to a contentious back-and-forth between the two senators.
Senator Ted Cruz reiterated his call for Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell to step down, criticizing the border bill crafted by McConnell and other GOP proponents as a disaster that would worsen the border crisis. Cruz accused the bill of normalizing 5,000 illegal migrants per day and providing political cover for Democrats. He also expressed frustration with the provision directing litigation to the liberal District of Columbia. McConnell responded by acknowledging Cruz's lack of support for him. Cruz's remarks come amid upcoming special elections and failed attempts to impeach Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas.
President Biden and former President Trump are blaming each other for the stalling of a bipartisan immigration bill aimed at addressing the record-setting pace of undocumented immigrants at the southern US border. The bill, which includes funding for border wall construction and measures to fast-track asylum cases, faces mounting opposition in the Senate after being rejected by House Republicans. Biden accused Trump of lobbying Republicans to torpedo the proposal, while Trump's campaign criticized Biden's policies and claimed that Trump's actions had created the most secure border in American history. The bill is expected to face challenges in both the Senate and the House, drawing criticism from immigration activists who feel that the Biden administration is not fulfilling its campaign promises.
A group of Senate Republicans, including Sens. JD Vance and Ted Cruz, are calling for Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell to step down and are criticizing the bipartisan border bill, which they claim expands President Biden's power and does not fully close the border. They argue that the bill has "loopholes" and are demanding more time for amendments and analysis. McConnell's leadership is being questioned, and tensions are high as the Senate prepares for a procedural vote on the bill.
Senate Republicans are facing internal divisions over a bipartisan border bill, with some members already declaring the proposal dead less than 24 hours after its release. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell and his allies are now recommending that Republicans vote against advancing the bill, effectively halting the effort and jeopardizing new aid to Ukraine. Meanwhile, as conservatives resist, the U.S. Border Patrol union has endorsed the Senate immigration deal, and the Chamber of Commerce is calling for the immediate passage of the border bill. Additionally, the article discusses controversial statements made by Candace Owens and the evolving role of Christian-right leaders in American politics.
