First appearance on Fox: Members of the House Freedom Caucus are urging conservative senators to reject a recently unveiled compromise on border security, arguing it doesn’t do enough to curb the immigration crisis.
“It’s clear why Democrats waited until the last minute to dump the bill on a dumpster fire. This is much worse than we expected,” said former Freedom Caucus Chairman Scott Perry ( (R-Pennsylvania) told Fox News Digital Sunday night after the bill was debated. The bill has been announced. “The Senate must reject this act of American betrayal.”
The proposal aims to tighten current immigration and asylum laws while also expediting eligible asylum claims. It would also allow President Biden and Homeland Security officials to temporarily close the border if it becomes crowded.
But a majority of House Republicans are pushing for deeper border reform, citing the HR2 border security bill passed last year as an example.
Senate passes long-awaited border bill, making major asylum changes
Former House Freedom Caucus Chairman Scott Perry voiced his opposition to the border bill. (Getty Images)
Other lawmakers, like Freedom Caucus member Rep. Eli Crane (R-Ariz.), have expressed their support for Democrats’ additional aid proposal that would allocate $60 billion for Ukraine and additional funds for countries such as Israel. continues to criticize its involvement.
“Instead of fighting for serious legislation to counter the aggression we face, weak Senate Republicans were swept away by Democrats and their obsession with Ukraine got in the way of their obligations to America,” Crane said. told FOX News Digital. “This pathetic excuse… [a] The border security agreement allows Ukraine to receive three times the budget allocated to the U.S. border. ”
Johnson says Trump has ‘no say’ on border housing deal
“On its face, this ‘deal’ is a wolf in sheep’s clothing. This is a Ukraine border agreement, not a U.S. border agreement,” Rep. Ralph Norman, R-S.C., told Fox News Digital. he said.
A major sticking point for critics even before the bill was announced was its rumored authority to admit 5,000 immigrants per day before implementing Title 42-like deportation powers.
Representative Ralph Norman also criticized the bill. (Photo by SAUL LOEB/AFP via Getty Images)
The text of the bill would create a new “border emergency authority” to turn people away, which could be activated if the number of migrants encountered reaches an average of 4,000 per day over a seven-day period. be. Once that number reaches 5,000, authorities will become obligated.
These powers can be used for up to 270 days in the first year of implementation, but their number gradually decreases until the powers completely expire after three years.
South Dakota NOEM aims to strengthen Texas security operations on U.S.-Mexico border
“The number of illegal aliens allowed to enter the United States should be zero. This proposal is a complete slap in the face to Americans and no Republican (or Democrat, for that matter) should support it.” No,” Rep. Andy Ogles (R-Tenn.) told FOX News Digital.
Sen. James Lankford (R-Okla.), the Senate Republican’s chief negotiator on the deal, said the idea that 5,000 people are “entering” the country every day is “ridiculous and untrue.”
Migrants attempt to cross the Mexico-U.S. border despite increased security in Ciudad Juarez, Mexico, on February 1, 2024. (David Peinado/Anadolu via Getty Images)
“Emergency authorities are not designed to let 5,000 people into the country. They are designed to close borders and divert 5,000 people,” he told X.
Click to get the FOX News app
But it’s not just Republican hardliners who are pushing for the bill to pass. House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-Louisiana) called it a “misstart,” and Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-Louisiana) vowed it would not get a vote in the House.
Republican Conference Policy Chairman Gary Palmer (R-Alabama) said of the They will continue to encourage illegal border crossings, and my opinion will not change.” support. “
