Last week, a bill proposed by Senate Democrats to purportedly improve border security failed to pass for the second time. The legislation flopped amid substantial opposition from Republicans, who have continually criticized Democratic efforts on border reform.
The “Border Act” bill failed earlier this year in February when Republicans refused to support it because it included foreign aid. As Democrats attempted to revive the bill, 50 members opposed it, while only 43 supported it.
Sen. James Lankford (R-OK) labeled the bill a “stunt,” expressing his opinion that it offered nothing of value. “I’m making it very clear with my vote that this is a stunt — not an attempt to do anything,” Lankford said. “And I’m going to be interested in how many Democrats walk away from this.”
Sen. Kyrsten Sinema, who left the Democratic Party and became an Independent, slammed the bill as being “political theater” that wouldn’t address President Biden’s failure to secure the southern border and prevent the rampant illegal immigration that the country has endured.
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) railed against his Republican counterparts for blocking the bill. “Senate Republicans again rejected the strongest, most comprehensive bipartisan border bill we’ve seen in decades. A sad day. While the GOP isn’t interested today in getting this done—we’ll keep trying. It’s too important to our national security, our communities, our country,” Schumer wrote on X.
Schumer further lamented his Republican opposition during remarks on the floor. “If Republicans were truly serious about calling the situation at the border an emergency, they shouldn’t delay any longer. You can’t call something an emergency one day and then suddenly kick the can down the road the next day,” he said.
The New York Democrat continued, “So, today, knowing that lesson, we need to try and work again together. We know our nation is stronger because of immigration. We know that the status quo with the southern border is unacceptable,” he added. “So, to all those who have said for years we must act on the border, this is the chance to show you’re serious about fixing the problem.”
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Regardless of whether Senate Democrats were able to pass the bill, House Republicans have maintained that it would be “dead on arrival.” House Speaker Mike Johnson released a statement on the legislative effort, urging Congress to push President Biden to utilize his executive authority on the matter instead.
“Instead of considering H.R. 2 — House Republicans’ legislation that would immediately secure the border — Senator Schumer once again wasted time today voting on an immigration bill that doesn’t secure the border, incentivizes further illegal immigration, and has no chance of passing either the House or the Senate,” according to Johnson’s statement.
The House Speaker continued, “After more than three years of claiming the situation at our southern border was not a crisis while millions of illegals poured in, Congressional Democrats are attempting to throw an election year Hail Mary to cover for their embrace of President Biden’s open border policies. In the absence of a substantive legislative solution, Senator Schumer should join House Republicans in demanding President Biden reverse course and use his executive authority to finally secure the border and protect American families.”