Democrats frequently reminded voters of Republican opposition to Senate legislation aimed at border security compromises, accusing the party of “exploiting” the crisis at the southern border rather than enacting legislation. ing.
Senate Democrats have continued to advocate support for the border security bill, which was negotiated on a bipartisan basis but failed after a Republican trial vote in February because it lacked sufficient strength.
“Democrats want to get something done to protect our borders, not just a bunch of speeches and blaming, blaming, blaming,” said Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D.N.Y.). said. Wednesday.
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Chuck Schumer (right) is expected to reinstate border measures opposed by Republicans ahead of the 2024 election, and Mitch McConnell (left) suggested that was his motive. . (Getty Images)
Earlier this month, Schumer began counting down the number of days each day his immigration bill had passed without receiving the 60 votes needed to advance.
“It’s been 98 days since Donald Trump and the Republican Party blocked the strongest and most comprehensive border security bill in a generation. And they have no choice but to use the border for Trump’s political gain. , I don’t have any plans yet,” he wrote in the X newspaper on Wednesday. Latest tally.
This comes as a person familiar with the discussions told Fox News Digital that the majority leader last week told Democrats he was strongly considering returning the bill to the floor months before the 2024 election. It’s about.
Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) pointed to the new focus on border action in remarks on the floor. He pointed to months of polling that revealed the importance of immigration issues to voters going into the election, saying, “Democratic leaders have refocused the Senate on the border crisis, and some bipartisan bills have fallen into the ranks.” It was something that Senator Ford helped create earlier this year.”
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Borders are an increasingly important issue for Americans. (James Breeden, New York Post/Mega)
McConnell explained that President Biden already has all the authority needed to resolve issues at the southern border, but he is refusing to do so. “A path out of the deepening border crisis” [is] It’s actually not a mystery. “All we need is a president willing to stop drilling,” he said.
A procedural test vote on the border measure, developed by Sens. Chris Murphy of Connecticut, Sen. Kyrsten Sinema of Arizona, and Sen. James Lankford, R-Oklahoma, was held in February. , rejected by nearly every Republican vote. On the other hand.
Many said the bill was too weak and didn’t include enough Republican priorities, while others said it would make border issues even worse.
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Mr. Lankford (left) and Mr. Sinema (right) were named negotiators on the bill. (Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images)
Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.) discussed the possibility of reviving the bill, telling Fox News host Maria Bartiromo that Democrats were not acting in good faith during negotiations. “Democrats were always negotiating a political cover for their failed border bill,” he wrote to X.
“That would still be the case even if we decided to introduce the bill again. This was a terrible bill. That’s why it died within 24 hours of being introduced,” he added. .
Republicans also pointed to the fact that the House previously passed an expedited border measure that reintroduced policies that would require asylum seekers to remain in Mexico pending their hearings and restart border wall construction, among other things. ing. A similar bill also touts strong support in the House, according to a spokesperson for House Speaker Mike Johnson’s (R-Louisiana) office, and would similarly “enact Remain in Mexico and amend parole and asylum laws.” reform and building a border wall.”
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Schumer is expected to revive the bill that Republicans rejected. (Getty Images)
But the bill, which had already passed the House, was not taken up by Mr. Schumer.
“Many on the far right have tried to hijack this process by demanding that H.R. 2 be taken away, but I have made it clear that the only bill we will bring to the Senate is… I did,” he said. This chamber could garner bipartisan support. ”
“Not a single Democrat in the House or Senate voted for HR2,” he said.
Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) in February considered incorporating the Republican-backed border measure (HR2) into an extension of government spending. This proposal was ultimately rejected.
Also in February, immigration moved to the top of Gallup’s list of “Most Important Issues” for Americans.
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According to the Cook Political Report, a nonpartisan political handicapper, the seven most competitive Senate races in 2024 are Democratic in Michigan, Arizona, Montana, Ohio, Nevada, Wisconsin, and Pennsylvania. The contest is for seats currently held by members affiliated with the party. (Getty Images)
Of those surveyed, 28% said immigration was the country’s biggest problem. This is the first time since 2019 that immigration has emerged as the most important issue.
As McConnell alluded to, Senate Democrats are facing their worst election situation in years, with multiple incumbents in close races in battleground states. Mr. Schumer and Democrats hold a slim majority in the Senate, with 51 senators tied for Democrats and 49 Republicans.
The 7 most competitive Senate races in 2024, by independent political handicappers. cook political reporttargets seats currently held by Democratic-aligned legislators in Michigan, Arizona, Montana, Ohio, Nevada, Wisconsin, and Pennsylvania.
Given the difficult electoral landscape, Republicans face a strong chance of regaining the House majority by 2025, especially as vulnerable incumbents are encouraged to protect the border under a Democratic administration.
