McConnell’s mistake: Biden’s Border Bill
Oklahoma Republican Sen. James Lankford is facing backlash this week for his involvement in the Democrats’ border proposal.
The House Republican leadership quickly dismissed the bill as “dead on arrival,” stating that it would only codify the current border crisis into law.
“This bill is even worse than we expected,” said GOP House Speaker Mike Johnson.
Utah Republican Sen. Mike Lee called the negotiated legislation a ”betrayal.” “This is worse than bad negotiation,” Lee wrote on X.
Republican Texas Sen. Ted Cruz described the bill as “an utter disaster” in a social media post, highlighting a thread from Connecticut Democrat Sen. Chris Murphy boasting about the bill’s open borders policy.
Former President Donald Trump criticized Lankford’s involvement, stating that it could harm his political career in Oklahoma.
In fact, Lankford has already faced censure from his home state’s GOP for betraying voters’ policy priorities. The border crisis doesn’t require a new law, but rather the enforcement of existing laws.
With talk of a primary challenge against Lankford, the consequences of serving as Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell’s ally are becoming clear.
McConnell’s involvement in the negotiations is no secret, and it was him who worked out the details of the legislation with Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer. However, when the proposal turned out to be politically toxic, McConnell distanced himself from it.
“Senator Lankford worked tirelessly to address this crisis,” said Wyoming Sen. John Barrasso. “Joe Biden and Senate Democrats failed him and failed the country.” However, Barrasso acknowledged that the proposed bill does not meet the expectations of most Americans in terms of securing the border.
In other words, Lankford is also to blame for the failure, not just McConnell or other Senate GOP leaders.
When asked how it felt to be thrown under the bus, Lankford reportedly replied, “and backed up [over].”
Lankford even faced criticism from X CEO Elon Musk, who has a massive following on his platform.
“The long-term goal of the so-called ‘Border Security’ bill is enabling illegals to vote!” Musk wrote on X. “It will do the total opposite of securing the border.”
Musk included a clip from ”60 Minutes” that highlighted the breakdown of U.S. security along the southern border.
As House Republicans work on measures to address the border crisis, including the impeachment of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, McConnell’s pattern of undermining American voters becomes evident.
During the 2022 midterms, McConnell prioritized his own control over the Republican Senate majority, resulting in another term for Schumer and a majority determined to push radical legislation.
While McConnell tries to control the damage, House Republicans are taking action to restore security at the southern border.
On Monday, the House Rules Committee approved two articles of impeachment against Mayorkas, charging him with “Willful and Systemic Refusal to Comply With the Law” and “Breach of the Public Trust.” If impeached, Mayorkas would be the first principal cabinet official to face trial in the Senate since 1876.
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What potential impact could Senator Lankford’s involvement in the Democrats’ border proposal have on his political career and the future of the Republican Party
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The backlash against Lankford highlights the divide within the Republican Party on immigration policy. While some GOP members are pushing for stronger border security and stricter immigration laws, others are advocating for a more compassionate and inclusive approach.
However, Lankford’s participation in the negotiations and support for the Democrats’ border proposal has drawn criticism from both sides of the aisle.
Conservatives see it as a betrayal of their principles and a capitulation to the Democrats’ agenda, while liberals argue that the bill doesn’t go far enough in addressing the root causes of the border crisis.
Despite the criticism, Lankford has defended his involvement in the negotiations, arguing that it’s important to find bipartisan solutions to the pressing issues facing the country.
“I believe in the power of collaboration and working across the aisle to address our nation’s challenges,” Lankford said in a statement. “While this bill may not be perfect, it represents a step forward in addressing the humanitarian crisis at the border.”
Lankford’s willingness to work with Democrats on immigration reform is seen by some as a pragmatic approach to solving a complex problem. However, others view it as a betrayal of conservative values and a disregard for the concerns of his constituents.
As the debate over immigration policy continues, it remains to be seen how Lankford’s involvement in the Democrats’ border proposal will impact his political career and the future of the Republican Party.
One thing is certain, however – immigration will remain a deeply divisive and contentious issue in American politics.
Whether it’s securing the border, addressing the root causes of migration, or finding a pathway to citizenship for undocumented immigrants, finding common ground on immigration will require politicians from both sides of the aisle to set aside partisan differences and work towards pragmatic and comprehensive solutions.
Only time will tell if the Republicans and Democrats can come together to find a compromise that addresses the concerns of both sides and reflects the values and priorities of the American people.
" Conservative News Daily does not always share or support the views and opinions expressed here; they are just those of the writer."
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