In recent weeks, Senate negotiators have been working on a border proposal that has sparked intense debate among conservative lawmakers.
The proposed deal, which includes a Title 42-type authority, has been met with fierce criticism from some Republicans in the chamber, with one GOP lawmaker branding it a “stinking pile of crap.”
The proposed legislation aims to tighten the initial credible fear standard for asylum screenings and introduce a Title 42-style expulsion authority to quickly remove migrants at the border.
However, this authority would only be mandated if the number of migrant encounters exceeded 5,000 per day.
This threshold has been a point of contention among conservative lawmakers, with some arguing that it would normalize the influx of migrants into the country.
Fiery remarks from @tedcruz on the Senate border deal:
"As bad as we think the bill is, I promise you, it's worse"
"[This bill] is a kamikaze plane in a box canyon with no exits headed for a train wreck"
"…represents Senate GOP leadership waging war on House GOP leadership" pic.twitter.com/S8UO5BrIqM
— Adam Shaw (@AdamShawNY) January 24, 2024
Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX) has been particularly vocal about his opposition to the proposal, stating that “5,000 people a day is over 1.8 million a year. That’s called an invasion by the way.”
In addition to the concerns surrounding the 5,000-person threshold, the proposed deal also includes provisions that would restrict the use of humanitarian parole at the border and grant work permits to children of legal temporary visa holders.
These measures have raised further questions about the effectiveness of the proposed legislation in addressing the ongoing border crisis.
Some conservative lawmakers, such as Senator Ron Johnson (R-Wis.), have expressed concerns about the discretionary nature of the 5,000-person threshold and its potential impact on the ability of a future Republican president to secure the border.
Senator Mike Lee (R-Utah) has also emphasized the importance of giving lawmakers time to read and process the bill before it is put to a vote.
Senate Republicans rip Mitch McConnell for 'lack of negotiating skills' when it comes to border and Ukraine funding bill saying he has kept GOP in the dark and there is a ZERO percent chance it passes the House: 'The problem is our leader' https://t.co/Q3CiJcYv1N pic.twitter.com/kln7xro5q3
— Daily Mail Online (@MailOnline) January 24, 2024
This bill it does not adequately address the border crisis and may even exacerbate the situation.
With the support of the Biden administration and the potential for billions of dollars in funding for corrupt NGOs and sanctuary cities, the proposal has been met with righteous skepticism and anger from conservative lawmakers and their constituents.
