Senate Republican campaign leaders said Sunday night that they will not support the widely criticized pro-immigration border bill.
Sen. Steve Daines (R-Mont.), chairman of the National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC), became the first member of the Senate Republican leadership to publicly voice his opposition.
“I cannot support a bill that does not secure our borders, provides taxpayer-funded lawyers to illegal immigrants, and provides billions of dollars to radical open border groups,” Daines wrote on X early Monday morning. did.
“I say no”:
I cannot support a bill that does not secure our borders, provides tax-funded lawyers to illegal immigrants, and provides billions of dollars to radical open border groups. I say no.
— Steve Daines (@SteveDaines) February 5, 2024
Daines’ opposition sends a strong signal to Senate candidates, including the incumbent, who have been tasked by his Republican Senate colleagues to lead the effort to take back the chamber, that they oppose politically harmful deals. .
Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) has tasked Sen. James Lankford (R-Okla.) with being the face of the Republican negotiators, but he has said he will be the driving force behind the negotiations. widely considered.
Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) made it clear that McConnell had taken control of the Republican Party.
“I have never worked so closely with Leader McConnell on any legislation,” Schumer told reporters on Sunday.
Schumer is scheduled to take steps to move the bill forward on Monday, with the first procedural vote scheduled for Wednesday.
At least three Democrats have indicated they will oppose the bill’s progress, and others may join. If three Democrats vote against Schumer on Wednesday, the bill will need more than a dozen Republican senators to pass.
Bradley Jay is Breitbart News’ Capitol Hill correspondent. Follow him on X/Twitter. @BradleyAJay.
