The Senate will be voting on a border security bill that has previously failed, exposing divisions within the Democratic party on the issue of immigration. The White House and top congressional Democrats have been discussing ways to strengthen their position on border security in preparation for the upcoming presidential debate. Despite the bill failing once before, Democrats are pointing to this as evidence that Republicans are not serious about addressing issues at the southern border.
The bill is facing opposition from some Democrats and immigrant advocates who view it as purely political and have concerns about some of its provisions. Senator Cory Booker, a Democrat from New Jersey, has stated that he will not support the bill as he believes it violates American values and would not make the country safer. Republicans have dismissed the vote as a political move by vulnerable Democrats ahead of the November elections.
Senator Chuck Schumer has acknowledged that not all Democrats may vote for the bill, as it will require 60 votes to break a GOP filibuster attempt. The bill was a topic of discussion during a Democratic party lunch, with Senator Alex Padilla stating he will vote against it. The bill represents a significant change to immigration law, including new emergency authorities and raising the standard for asylum.
Despite the bill being seen as largely a messaging exercise by Republicans, some are considering supporting it. Senator Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, who previously voted for the bill, indicated she may back it again. However, Senator James Lankford, a key negotiator on the bill, has stated he will vote against it. Democrats are seeking to shift blame onto Republicans for not securing the border and have found success with this messaging in recent elections.
Immigrant advocates have criticized the bill for its exclusion of foreign aid and what they see as harsh policies. They are calling on Congress to address the situation at the border, as the administration has limited tools to affect change. Senior administration officials are preparing for a potential surge in border crossings and are considering executive actions to dissuade migrants from coming to the US.
Democratic lawmakers are emphasizing the need for a strong bipartisan border bill and are working to convince voters that they have a plan to address immigration issues. Despite divisions within the party, some Democrats are supportive of the bill, recognizing the importance of addressing border security. Discussions are ongoing on potential executive actions to address the situation at the border before the upcoming presidential debate. Overall, Democrats are focused on demonstrating their commitment to addressing border security and immigration.
