No. 3 Senate GOP member opposes Ukraine-border bill, joining increasing number of Republican critics
The No. 3 Republican in the Senate Rejects Bipartisan Border Deal, Putting Bill at Risk
The bipartisan border deal, the result of four months of negotiations between the Senate and White House, is facing a potential collapse as Sen. John Barrasso (R-WY), the chairman of the Senate Republican Conference, publicly opposes the bill. Barrasso argues that the compromise will not effectively address the record influx of migrants, placing blame on Democrats for their refusal to accept stricter measures.
In a statement, Barrasso asserts, “President Biden and Sen. Schumer will never accept the significant changes required for American safety and border security. Joe Biden will never enforce any new law and refuses to use the tools he already has today to end this crisis. I cannot vote for this bill. Americans will turn to the upcoming election to end the border crisis.”
Barrasso’s opposition adds to a growing chorus of Republican dissent towards the legislation, which is part of a larger national security supplemental funding request that includes funding for Ukraine. Since the release of the bill text on Sunday night, nearly two dozen Republican senators have expressed their opposition.
Barrasso commends Sen. James Lankford (R-OK), the chief Republican negotiator in the border talks, but criticizes the legislation for failing to compel the Biden administration to address the abuse of current law and for leaving in place certain Democrat-created incentives that contribute to the crisis.
While Lankford defends the bill as an end to “catch and release” and highlights the tighter asylum restrictions and new shutdown powers granted to the president, conservatives have strongly criticized the proposal, particularly the delayed implementation of the shutdown authority until 5,000 border crossings occur daily.
Barrasso’s opposition carries weight as he is not only one of the most conservative members of the Senate but also the highest-ranking Senate Republican to reject the bill thus far.
Although Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) supports the deal, he is one of the few Republicans publicly defending it. The rest of his leadership team remains undecided or opposed.
Shortly after Barrasso’s statement, Sen. Thom Tillis (R-NC), an adviser to McConnell, announced that he would also vote against the bill.
McConnell had hoped for a majority of his conference to back the supplemental before deciding to move forward. However, that benchmark seems unlikely to be met, with even centrist Republicans expressing skepticism towards the border provisions.
To allow members more time to review the details, the conference is expected to block the first procedural vote on the bill on Wednesday. Here is the latest list of senators who support or oppose advancing the $118 billion legislation.
How does the growing list of Republicans expressing skepticism or outright rejection of the bipartisan border deal reflect the deep ideological divide on border security and the difficulty in reaching a consensus
G list of Republicans who have expressed skepticism or outright rejection of the bipartisan border deal. This raises significant concerns about the bill’s chances of passing and finding enough support to address the urgent issue of border security.
The bipartisan border deal is the culmination of extensive negotiations between the Senate and the White House, aiming to find a common ground that both parties can agree on. It represents a compromise between Democrats and Republicans, with the goal of addressing the record influx of migrants at the border and ensuring American safety and border security.
However, Sen. John Barrasso, the No. 3 Republican in the Senate and chairman of the Senate Republican Conference, has publicly voiced his opposition to the bill. Barrasso contends that the compromise falls short in effectively addressing the border crisis and blames Democrats for their unwillingness to accept stricter measures. His rejection of the bill further exacerbates the already tenuous prospects of the bipartisan deal.
In a statement, Barrasso criticized President Biden and Senate Majority Leader Schumer for their unwillingness to implement significant changes necessary to ensure American safety and border security. He accuses President Biden of not enforcing any new laws and refusing to utilize the tools at his disposal to end the crisis. Barrasso’s dissatisfaction with the bill stems from his belief that it will not effectively address the current challenges and that the upcoming election may offer a better solution to the border crisis.
Barrasso’s opposition is particularly concerning because it adds to a growing list of Republicans who have expressed skepticism or outright rejection of the bipartisan border deal. This highlights the deep ideological divide between the two parties on this issue and underscores the difficulty in reaching a consensus on border security.
The rejection of the bill by influential Republicans like Barrasso puts the future of the bipartisan border deal at risk. Without the support of key members within the Republican Party, the bill will face an uphill battle in Congress. This not only threatens the chances of the bill’s passage but also delays any potential resolution to the urgent border crisis.
The inability to find common ground on border security has significant implications for the nation as a whole. The record influx of migrants poses serious challenges to national security, the economy, and the overall well-being of American citizens. Without a comprehensive and bipartisan solution, the situation at the border will continue to deteriorate, jeopardizing the safety and security of both migrants and Americans alike.
As the No. 3 Republican in the Senate, Barrasso’s opposition to the bipartisan border deal amplifies the divisions within the party and raises doubts about the ability of Congress to effectively address this pressing issue. It remains to be seen whether there will be any breakthroughs or compromises reached in the near future. In the meantime, the fate of the bipartisan border deal hangs in the balance, leaving the urgent issue of border security unresolved.
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