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Jimmy Williams
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer is pushing for a test vote on border security and immigration legislation this week. The effort follows a previously blocked attempt in February, which included aid to Israel and Ukraine, but was derailed by opposition from former President Donald Trump.
In a letter to senators, Schumer emphasized the bipartisan nature of the original deal. Senators Chris Murphy, D-Conn., James Lankford, R-Okla., and Kyrsten Sinema, I-Ariz., had negotiated through weekends and recesses to reach a compromise. However, Schumer acknowledged the challenge ahead, stating, “I do not expect all Democrats to support this legislation. Many of our colleagues do not support some of the provisions in this legislation, nor do I expect all Republicans to agree to every provision.”
This standalone version, sponsored by Murphy, is on the Senate calendar, setting up the possibility of a vote that would require 60 votes to proceed. Murphy highlighted the bill’s aim to fix the asylum system and give the president tools to manage the border. However, he expressed skepticism about its chances, saying, “Republicans decided that maintaining chaos at the border in order to help Donald Trump’s election prospects is more important than border security.”
The push comes in an election year where border security is a top Republican issue, and Democrats want to challenge Republicans’ commitment to solutions. The White House supports the move, with Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre urging senators to “set partisan politics aside and vote to secure the border.”
House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., criticized Schumer’s move, claiming it gives “vulnerable members cover” and argued the bill would solidify “disastrous Biden open border policies.” He declared, “Should it reach the House, the bill would be dead on arrival.”
Lankford, a key GOP negotiator, showed initial support during President Joe Biden’s State of the Union speech but later criticized Biden for not doing more unilaterally to stop migrants. He expressed frustration with the current efforts, stating, “If we’re going to solve the border issues, it’s not going to by doing competing messaging bills. If we’re going to solve this, let’s sit down like adults and let’s figure out how we’re going to actually resolve this together.”
The debate over border security has become a campaign issue. Democrats have highlighted Rep. Tom Suozzi’s, D-N.Y., success in flipping a seat in a special election by advocating for bipartisan solutions. The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee praised Suozzi for his approach, stating it left “a blueprint in place for beating House Republicans.”
Despite the partisan divide, both sides see immigration policy and border security as critical issues for gaining voter support. This is evidenced by the National Republican Congressional Committee’s response to the Democratic memo. As the test vote approaches, the outcome remains uncertain, but the political stakes are high.
