Lankford left hanging by GOP colleagues as border bill fails
The Republican Party Rejects Bipartisan Border Security Deal, Leaving Sen. James Lankford in the Lurch
The Republican Party’s complete rejection of the bipartisan border security deal has come at a cost – four months of hard work from one of their own.
Sen. James Lankford (R-OK) was the lead negotiator for the GOP on the agreement, which was abandoned within days of the legislative text being released. The bill, the result of months of negotiations between a bipartisan trio of members and the White House, aimed to provide assistance for Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan while addressing border security.
Detractors from both sides wasted no time attacking the negotiators and the bill’s contents. House GOP leadership vowed to kill the deal, and former President Donald Trump actively lobbied against it, exerting his influence over the House Republican Conference.
The bill has also caused tension within the Senate Republican Conference, particularly among hard-line conservatives. Senators Mike Lee (R-UT) and Ted Cruz (R-TX) have even called for the ousting and replacement of current GOP leadership over their support of the bill.
Over 25 GOP senators, more than half of the conference, announced their opposition to the bill. By Tuesday, it was clear that the legislation would not have enough votes to pass the Senate, prompting Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) to declare it dead.
Sen. Lankford, who has faced criticism from his own party over the bill, expressed surprise at the level of opposition. “I’m legitimately surprised at where we are in this moment,” he told CNN. “Now we get to this moment, I’ve got so many colleagues that are backing away.”
Lankford had negotiated the agreement alongside Sen. Kyrsten Sinema (I-AZ) and Sen. Chris Murphy (D-CT), who criticized Republicans for abandoning the deal. “I never expected that they would leave Sen. Lankford hanging out to dry as badly as they did,” Murphy said.
Some of Lankford’s Republican colleagues expressed concern about the backlash he faced within the party. Sen. Kevin Cramer (R-ND) worried that this could discourage future bipartisan efforts. “Jim Lankford is never getting these four months back,” Cramer said. “He never wanted to lash out at the many people who unfairly lashed out at him.”
Despite the fallout, Senate Minority Whip John Thune (R-SD) believes this situation is unique and won’t deter future negotiations with the Biden administration. “This is an unusually complicated area. Very few people understand it and understand it well. He happens to be one of them,” Thune said of Lankford.
Others in the conference had warned Lankford about the risks of pursuing this bipartisan deal. “I told him he was going to be like a goalie on a dark team weeks ago,” said Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX). ”I have nothing but praise for Sen. Lankford. I think he’s done the best job he could possibly do under the circumstances. It’s just a very, very complex situation.”
Source: The Washington Examiner
How does the rejection of the deal by the Republican Party impact Sen. James Lankford’s standing within the party and his future role in negotiations?
Opposition to the border security deal. Their reasons range from concerns over the bill’s funding for Ukraine and Taiwan to doubts about its effectiveness in addressing border security issues.
This decisive rejection by the Republican Party has left Sen. James Lankford in a tough spot. As the lead negotiator for the GOP on this agreement, Lankford dedicated months of hard work to reaching a bipartisan solution. However, his efforts were quickly cast aside as the party unified against the deal.
This turn of events puts Lankford in a difficult position within his own party. The rejection of the deal not only undermines his work but also raises doubts about his ability to effectively negotiate on behalf of the Republican Party. It remains to be seen how this rejection will impact Lankford’s standing within the party and his future role in negotiations.
Furthermore, the bloc of dissenting senators and the opposition from former President Donald Trump highlight the deep divisions within the Republican Party over key issues such as foreign aid and border security. The party’s inability to reach a consensus on this deal sends a clear message of disunity and lack of trust in its leadership.
In calling for the ousting and replacement of current GOP leadership, Senators Mike Lee and Ted Cruz demonstrate the extent of the divide within the Senate Republican Conference. This dissent and demand for change from influential members of the party further exacerbate the already fragile state of Republican unity.
It is important to remember that this border security deal was the result of months of negotiations and compromise between both parties. The bill aimed to provide assistance to Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan while also addressing pressing border security concerns. The complete rejection of the deal by the Republican Party disregards the effort and collaboration that went into crafting a bipartisan solution.
The GOP’s rejection of this border security deal not only reflects the deep divisions within the party but also raises questions about its ability to effectively govern and negotiate in the best interest of the country. It is crucial for the Republican Party to find common ground and work towards bipartisan solutions in order to address the pressing issues facing the nation, including border security.
As Sen. James Lankford finds himself in the lurch, it is important for the Republican Party to reflect on this rejection and consider the consequences of its actions. Unity, collaboration, and compromise are essential in order to navigate the complexities of governing and effectively address the challenges that lie ahead.
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