Negotiators in the Senate are feeling increasingly frustrated about what they see as widespread misinformation surrounding the emerging border package. Lawmakers involved in the talks have been developing the bill for several months, and while they have been hesitant to dig into the details of a bill that has not yet been released, opposition to the package has been growing louder in recent weeks.
Now, as they approach the release of the final bill text, they are pushing back more forcefully against the criticism. This comes as former President Trump launched attacks against the bill, and House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) indicated that the bill may face strong opposition in the House.
Discussing the issue with reporters, Sen. Thom Tillis (R-N.C.) acknowledged the challenges posed by the ongoing messaging war, particularly as many House members are gearing up for primaries. Meanwhile, Sen. Kyrsten Sinema (I-Ariz.), one of the lead negotiators, expressed frustration with the continued attacks on the bill, especially considering that the specifics of the bill are largely unknown outside of broad outlines.
Sinema and others are particularly bothered by a rumored detail that has become a key talking point for conservative opponents: the potential requirement for the Department of Homeland Security to nearly shut down the border if migrant crossings reach a certain threshold.
Conservatives have used this detail to claim that the U.S. would allow a large number of migrants into the country every day. Johnson has gone as far as to state that the package “would expressly allow as many as 150,000 illegal crossings each month.”
Sinema refuted this claim, emphasizing that the bill ends “catch and release,” a practice in which a migrant is released for a period before having to appear for an immigration hearing.
She clarified that every individual entering the country under the bill would either be detained or placed in an alternative to detention program, with cases being adjudicated quickly. Those who do not qualify would be promptly removed, while those who do qualify would receive a work authorization and, upon final adjudication, a path to citizenship.
In response to Johnson’s remarks, Sinema labelled them as “factually inaccurate.” She also noted that his team is well-acquainted with the bill’s details.
Johnson’s office retaliated, stating that if there are any inaccuracies, the Senate is free to post the legislative text and address any issues.
Sinema’s comments came after Sen. James Lankford (Okla.), the lead GOP negotiator, attempted to counter attacks on the pending bill by Trump during a Sunday show appearance, dismissing them as false rumors.
Multiple Senate Republicans indicated that the main issue facing those in support of a border deal is still the lack of available legislative text. The group has been working for weeks to finalize the text, and Sen. Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) suggested that the absence of the text allows for misconceptions to take hold.
The border deal is expected to be included in President Biden’s emergency supplemental that would tie border reforms with aid for Ukraine, Israel, the Indo-Pacific, and for humanitarian purposes.
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) stated that working through weekends and into the looming two-week recess is not off the table to ensure the supplemental gets over the finish line. The recess is expected to start on Feb. 9.
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