Senate Rejects Border Security Bill Again as GOP and Democrats Remain Divided

A bipartisan border security bill was unable to move forward in the Senate on Thursday, as it was blocked by Republican opposition and faced divisions among Democrats.

Democrats reintroduced the bill after it did not pass earlier this year, hoping to pressure Senate Republicans and change the conversation on border security. However, the bill revealed disagreements within the Democratic party, with some members opposing it and potentially weakening the party's messaging. The final vote was 43 to 50.

Immigration continues to be a major concern for voters, prompting discussions between the White House and top congressional Democrats on strengthening border security before the first presidential debate next month. Sources reveal that the talks have included plans to revive a border security measure that was initially blocked by former President Donald Trump's instructions to GOP lawmakers.

Democrats have highlighted the bill's failure, negotiated on a bipartisan basis, as evidence that Republicans are not fully committed to addressing issues at the southern border. They are prepared to reinforce this argument following the bill's second setback.

Some Democrats and immigrant advocates are criticizing a new bill for being too political and disagreeing with certain aspects of it. The bill, which is considered one of the toughest border measures in recent history, does not have the support of Ukraine.

Senator Cory Booker, a Democrat from New Jersey, stated that he will not vote for the bill that is set to be discussed in the Senate this week. He believes that the provisions included in the bill go against the values shared by Americans and will not actually make the country safer.

Booker supported the bill in February despite it failing 49-50. He mentioned that the bill included crucial foreign and humanitarian aid.

Republicans have mostly brushed off the vote as a strategic move by Democrats facing tough reelection battles to protect themselves on a significant issue before the November elections.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer recently admitted that not all Democrats may support the bill, as stated in a letter to colleagues. In order to pass, the bill requires sixty votes to overcome a GOP filibuster. With Democrats holding only 51 votes and most Republicans opposing the bill, the path to approval is challenging.

During a closed-door party lunch on Tuesday, Democratic members discussed the border bill and debated its potential. Despite previous setbacks in the Senate, the majority of members expressed support for bringing the bill forward, although there were some who remained undecided.

Sen. Alex Padilla, who previously did not support the bill, has stated that he will once again vote against it when it is brought to the floor on Thursday. He emphasized that the previous willingness to accept the bill as a trade-off for Ukraine funding is no longer acceptable. Padilla recognizes the need to address border issues, but believes that this particular bill should not be the starting point for Democratic plans on border security.

Virginia Democratic Sen. Mark Warner believes that the internal backlash shows that some moderates are motivated by the bipartisan nature of the bill. He mentioned that the fact that not all progressive members support the bill indicates its toughness and bipartisan nature.

If the bill is approved, it would bring about significant changes to immigration law for the first time in many years. This includes the introduction of new emergency authority to limit border crossings when daily migrant encounters reach a certain level, a higher legal standard for asylum screening, and a faster asylum processing timeline, among other provisions.

Many Republicans see the vote as mainly a way for Democrats to send a message. Senator Susan Collins, a Republican from Maine, stated to reporters that she intends to vote against moving forward with the border bill, even though she supported the previous attempt.

“If this was a genuine effort, we wouldn't be voting at two o’clock on Thursday when everyone is trying to leave town,” she pointed out.

However, Republican Senator Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, who had supported the bill before, suggested that she may support it again, even though she criticized the process as “dumb.”

"Why did my opinion change if I believed it was worth voting for before?" Murkowski questioned. "We need to clarify the situation for those outside of this building. They might see us as acting irrationally."

However, Republican Sen. James Lankford, who played a crucial role in negotiating the border bill, announced that he will be voting against the measure on Thursday. "It's no longer a bill, it's just a show," he explained to CNN's Kaitlan Collins on Tuesday.

Democrats are blaming Republicans for not securing the border. They say Republicans walked away from a measure that limited migrants' ability to seek asylum at the US southern border, along with other restrictions.

This message was successful in New York's third congressional district in February. Democratic Rep. Tom Suozzi focused on immigration and won the seat.

The criticism has intensified due to the lack of foreign aid and the implementation of what some immigrant advocates consider to be harsh policies.

Robyn Barnard, senior director of refugee advocacy at Human Rights First, expressed disappointment in Senator Murphy for supporting ineffective policies and in Leader Schumer for pushing for a vote despite representing the state where the Statue of Liberty stands.

Barnard questioned why the American public was given the explanation that harsh policies were needed to secure Ukraine funding before. Now, what is their reason for implementing anti-immigrant policies? The pressure on Congress also shows that the administration has limited options to address the situation on the ground in the coming months.

One senior administration official acknowledged that there are limitations to what can be achieved through executive action in this area. They emphasized the importance of Congress taking up and passing the Senate bipartisan border security legislation.

In anticipation of a potential surge in border crossings this summer, senior administration officials are rolling out a range of policy adjustments. These changes aim to discourage migrants from making the journey to the US and to assure doubtful voters that efforts are being made to enhance border immigration control.

"We are constantly monitoring the factors fueling the significant movement of people worldwide. Our team is working around the clock to implement policies that will help lessen the impact on our border," shared a senior official.

Sources have indicated that talks are in progress regarding the implementation of a border executive action. It is being considered to potentially roll out after Mexico's election in early June and possibly before the first presidential debate.

Democrats say it's all part of a bigger plan to remind voters about their strategy. Senator Brian Schatz, a Democrat from Hawaii, mentioned that with a strong bipartisan border bill and a willingness to take tough action, moderates are starting to see Democrats in a different light.

Maine Sen. Angus King, an independent who caucuses with Democrats, expressed his support for the bill, emphasizing the importance of addressing the issue. He stated, "It’s a good bill and it is something that needs attending to. That’s our job. Let’s bring it up."

This report includes contributions from CNN’s Sam Fossum.

Editor's P/S:

The Senate's failure to pass a bipartisan border security bill, despite its potential to address pressing immigration concerns, highlights the deep divisions within both parties. Democrats, facing pressure from voters and the White House, are struggling to reconcile their support for border security with concerns about the bill's potential impact on immigrants. Republicans, motivated by upcoming elections and a desire to protect their conservative base, have largely dismissed the bill as a political ploy. The outcome leaves the Biden administration with limited options to address the surge in border crossings and underscores the urgent need for a comprehensive immigration reform that balances security and compassion.

The bill's provisions, including stricter asylum screening and increased emergency authority to limit border crossings, have drawn criticism from some advocates who argue that they are too harsh and ineffective. The absence of foreign aid and the perception of anti-immigrant policies have further fueled opposition from Democrats and immigrant rights groups. The lack of consensus within the Democratic party, with some members opposing the bill and others supporting it, has weakened the party's messaging and made it more difficult to pressure Republicans to address the issue. The political motivations and divisions within both parties have overshadowed the urgent need for bipartisan cooperation to find a solution to the complex and multifaceted challenges at the southern border.