(PartiallyPolitics.com) – Former President Donald Trump’s recent call for congressional Republicans to refuse any border security legislation that doesn’t fully address the migrant influx has sparked a conflict with Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell and his colleagues. This disagreement centers around a compromise bill concerning border security, as well as funding for Ukraine, Israel, and the Indo-Pacific region.
Senate Republican Whip John Thune of South Dakota has acknowledged that Trump’s stance is not aiding their efforts. He mentioned to The Hill that the bill includes several conservative border policies long sought by Republicans, but Trump’s hardline position is seen as unhelpful.
Trump expressed his disapproval of the emerging Senate border deal on his Truth Social page, emphasizing that no deal should be made unless it completely stops the migration influx. His stance is clear: no compromise unless all demands are met.
McConnell, on the other hand, has been advocating for a compromise bill as the most viable way to bolster border security. He cautioned fellow Republicans that even with potential GOP wins in the upcoming elections, Democrats could still obstruct border legislation using Senate rules.
Echoing McConnell, Thune pointed out that achieving substantial border reforms next year would be challenging, even with a Republican majority, due to the need for 60 votes in the Senate. Senator John Cornyn of Texas, also part of McConnell’s leadership team, noted that Trump’s demands are unrealistic, given the necessity of bipartisan support and a presidential signature for any bill to pass.
Cornyn suggested that a Senate package could provide more tools for border security, which should appeal to Trump if he were to be re-elected.
House Republicans, including Speaker Mike Johnson, have also been in dialogue with Trump about the border issue. Johnson acknowledged Trump’s concerns as valid during a Fox News interview.
However, some GOP senators suspect Trump’s opposition to a compromise bill is motivated by not wanting to grant President Biden a policy victory before the 2024 election. They warn that missing this chance to reform asylum laws would be a strategic error, as would be withholding support from Ukraine, potentially benefiting Russia.
Senator Thom Tillis of North Carolina disagrees with Trump, suggesting that rejecting a border security bill would be a significant oversight. He also emphasized the importance of supporting Ukraine.
Despite these concerns, Senator Tommy Tuberville of Alabama, a staunch Trump supporter, predicts that even if the Senate passes a compromise bill, it’s likely to fail in the House, reflecting the deep divisions within the party on how to handle these complex issues.
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