WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR) — The U.S. Senate plans to vote again this week on a bipartisan border security bill.
Republicans blocked the measure earlier this year when it was part of a larger package that also included funding for Israel and Ukraine. Now, Democrats want to force votes to challenge the GOP rhetoric about the southern border.
“All those who say we need to act on the border will get a chance this week to show they’re serious about fixing the problem,” said Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-New York.
Schumer took action Tuesday to tee up a floor vote Thursday.
The bill would make it more difficult to gain asylum in the U.S. and increase detentions and deportations of illegal migrants.
“It is strong and realistic and most importantly, a bipartisan proposal,” Schumer said.
U.S. Sen. Chris Murphy, D-Connecticut, was one of the negotiators and said the measure would also allow the president to shut down the border if migrant encounters get too high.
“Our bill doesn’t stop the ability of people to come to the United States,” Murphy said. “It just puts in place a more orderly system.”
Senate Republicans blocked the legislation in February at the urging of former President Donald Trump.
“I think it’s safe to say going to a border bill right now is just a gimmick,” said Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Kentucky.
Instead, McConnell said President Biden should revert to Trump-era policies, like the Migrant Protection Protocols, or “Remain in Mexico,” and border wall construction.
“Do everything he can do on his own because legislation obviously is not going to clear this year,” McConnell said.
House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-Louisiana, all but guaranteed that when he called the bill dead on arrival in the House.
Biden called Johnson and McConnell Monday night to urge them to support the bill. McConnell summed up the conversation with one comment he made: “Mr. President, you caused this problem.”
White House officials prefer legislation to executive action because they argue it can better withstand different administrations and court challenges.
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