More than a dozen GOP senators are opposing the bipartisan “emergency authority” border bill, a crucial part of the White House’s national security request, citing concerns that it grants President Biden excessive power to nullify the law.
The bill includes a provision allowing the president to instruct the secretary of Homeland Security to “temporarily suspend” the border emergency authority in emergencies, giving President Biden the ability to override decisions made by Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas.
🚨BREAKING: Elon Musk is calling for the impeachment of DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas.
Do you support this? pic.twitter.com/OJPdu1xcIy
— Ian Jaeger (@IanJaeger29) February 5, 2024
Critics, such as Sen. Mike Lee from Utah, expressed dissatisfaction with the lack of transparency during negotiations and accused Senate GOP leadership of a “disqualifying betrayal.” Sen. Lee highlighted the potential misuse of the “national interest” designation by Biden to suspend the border emergency authority, stating, “Biden can say anything is in the ‘national interest’ and thereby suspend the ‘border emergency authority.’ Don’t pretend to be surprised when he does. Or better yet—don’t pass this hot mess!”
The bill outlines the involvement of the secretary of Homeland Security in the identity verification process for illegal immigrants crossing the border and grants work visas to those granted asylum immediately. However, several GOP senators, including Sen. Tom Cotton, voiced concerns that the legislation may exacerbate the border crisis, arguing that it allows Secretary Mayorkas to grant asylum claims without immigration court review, potentially leading to amnesty.
Senate Republicans voting NO on the "border bill":
Marsha Blackburn, Mike Braun, Katie Britt, Tom Cotton, Ted Cruz, Steve Daines, Bill Hagerty, Josh Hawley, Ron Johnson, Mike Lee, Roger Marshall, Rand Paul, Marco Rubio, Rick Scott, Eric Schmit, Tommy Tuberville, and J.D. Vance. pic.twitter.com/BWgxkN6sh8
— Citizen Free Press (@CitizenFreePres) February 5, 2024
Sen. Rick Scott opposed the bill, pointing out a provision championed by Democratic negotiator Sen. Chris Murphy: taxpayer-funded legal representation for illegal immigrants. Scott criticized the bill, stating, “This looks more like an immigration bill, not a border security bill.”
Other senators, including Sen. Bill Hagerty, raised alarm about a provision allocating $1.4 billion for NGOs to resettle illegal aliens in communities, expressing concerns about taxpayer dollars being used for Democrat sanctuary city mayors.
Sen. Steve Daines, chairman of the National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC), declared his intention to vote “no” on the bill, citing concerns about border security, taxpayer-funded lawyers for illegal immigrants, and funding for open borders groups. Notable Republicans opposing the bill include Sens. Josh Hawley, Tommy Tuberville, Ron Johnson, Marsha Blackburn, Marco Rubio, Ted Cruz, Roger Marshall, and JD Vance.
Updated list of NO votes
𝟏𝟗 𝐒𝐞𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐬
Marsha Blackburn (TN)
Mike Braun (IN)
Katie Britt (AL)
Ted Budd (NC)
Tom Cotton (AR)
Ted Cruz (TX)
Steve Daines (MT)
Bill Hagerty (TN)
Josh Hawley (MO)
Ron Johnson (WI)
Mike Lee (UT)
Roger Marshall (KS)
Rand Paul (KY)
Jim Risch… https://t.co/VfUkLmwtpX— Amy Kremer (@AmyKremer) February 5, 2024
Despite the opposition, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, Democratic negotiator Sen. James Lankford, and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer are pushing for the bill’s passage. Lankford argued that the bill provides essential tools for border enforcement and addresses the ongoing crisis. McConnell asserted that the legislation offers “direct and immediate solutions” to the southern border crisis. However, in the House, Speaker Mike Johnson labeled the bill as “dead-on-arrival.”
The proposed legislation, totaling just over $118 billion with 50,000 new visas, aims to overhaul the asylum system overwhelmed by historic numbers of illegal immigrants crossing the border.
