Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) has made a surprising decision to advise Republicans to obstruct the progress of the Senate’s pro-migration border bill. The initial procedural vote was scheduled for Wednesday. It remains uncertain whether Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) will proceed with the bill, although it is highly likely.
McConnell justified his recommendation by pointing out the significant number of Senate Republicans who plan to vote against the measure, either due to its content or because they believe more time is needed. This information was reported by Punchbowl News.
Despite his support for the deal, McConnell did not express any personal reservations about the legislation to his colleagues. According to Punchbowl, he mentioned that the political climate in the country has changed since negotiations began several months ago. During that time, McConnell and Democratic leaders agreed to link foreign aid to Ukraine, an issue that McConnell strongly advocates for, with a border compromise.
While Democrats also generally support providing assistance to Ukraine in its ongoing conflict with Russia, they used McConnell’s enthusiasm for Ukraine aid as leverage against Republicans, offering a proposed border compromise in exchange for aid to the European nation.
Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) went on to brag about working very closely with McConnell. “I have never worked more closely with Leader McConnell on any piece of legislation as we did on this,” Schumer told reporters on Sunday.
The confidential agreement’s details, which were denied by Senator James Lankford (R-OK), the chosen Republican lead negotiator by McConnell, were leaked and confirmed on Sunday when the bill was made public. Due to the strong opposition, McConnell modified his plan on Monday night.
Even Lankford, who continued to support the agreement until the Senate Republican Conference meeting on Monday night, did not disclose whether he would vote in favor of advancing the deal on Wednesday, as reported by the Huffington Post.
Lankford says he anticipates supplemental won’t pass Wednesday !
— Igor Bobic (@igorbobic) February 6, 2024
The proposal aims to establish legal provisions for numerous pro-migration policies implemented by Biden, which have resulted in an influx of migrants that has placed a significant burden on law enforcement at the southern border.