Senate Republicans are insisting that the national security spending bill currently being considered in Congress includes policy changes aimed at addressing the issue of illegal immigration at the border.
President Biden has requested $106 billion for various priorities, including Ukraine, Israel, the Pacific, and border security. However, GOP senators argue that simply providing funding will not solve the problem of illegal immigration.
They believe that the bill should also reinstate certain Trump-era policies, such as the “remain in Mexico” rule, which required asylum seekers to stay in Mexico until their asylum cases were decided in the US.
The Biden administration has reversed several tough immigration policies implemented by the Trump administration, leading to a surge of migrants at the border.
South Dakota Senator John Thune, the second-ranking GOP leader in the Senate, emphasized that many Republicans view these issues as interconnected and crucial national security priorities for the United States. Border security is a key concern for them when considering any legislation.
President Biden’s proposal includes funding to hire more Border Patrol agents and immigration judges, as well as assistance to communities facing challenges in accommodating the influx of migrants. It also aims to increase the number of detention beds for migrants awaiting deportation hearings.
Republicans argue that these measures primarily focus on processing illegal immigrants rather than addressing the root cause of the issue, which is preventing their entry into the country in the first place.
Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell stressed that Congress has an opportunity to compel the administration to treat the southern border as a sovereign legal boundary. He also emphasized the seriousness and interconnected nature of the threats facing the US and its allies.
Both the House and Senate are working on their versions of the national security bill. House Republican leaders have called for separate consideration of each national security issue.
In the House, Republicans plan to vote on a $14.3 billion measure for Israel, offsetting the spending by redirecting funds from the IRS as authorized in last year’s budget law.
Democrats and the White House dismissed the House Republicans’ proposal, labeling it a “nonstarter” due to the cuts to the IRS budget. They accused House Speaker Mike Johnson of delaying aid to Israel by unlinking it from assistance to Ukraine.
Senate Majority Leader Charles Schumer criticized the Republican proposal, stating that it was insulting to exploit the crisis in Israel to benefit the wealthy. He argued that legislation should not contain provisions that hinder its progress.
While divisions persist over assistance to Israel and Ukraine, Senate Republicans remain united in their commitment to border security as a crucial national security concern.
