The Senate's $118 billion 'border security' deal - of which more than 2/3 sends money to Ukraine ($60B+) and Israel ($14.1B) - appears to be dead, after Senate Republicans have vowed to block a procedural motion.
The move means that there's zero chance that the legislation will pass the Senate without major changes - while any revisions to the absurd asylum and border security reforms (which still allow 1.5 million illegals into the country per year, hobbles states like Texas by requiring legal challenges be arbitrated in DC courts, and funds NGOs who facilitate human trafficking to the tune of billions), could further cast the deal into disarray.
Daily reminder that Biden could close the border with the stroke of a pen, but is holding that hostage until Ukraine gets its money...
Senate GOP will block border deal, leaving Ukraine in limbo: Hill
— zerohedge (@zerohedge) February 6, 2024
Amazing: this is the first time a crowdsourced effort on X to read and "find out what's in the bill before it's passed" crippled an attempt by the uniparty to shove more BS down America's throat
On Tuesday, Senate GOP Whip John Thune (SD) said that the motion to move forward with the bill won't receive much, if any, Republican support.
"I think it’s unlikely because I just think our members are still — they want more time to evaluate it," calling its near-term passage "unlikely," and that Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer's (D-NY) decision to schedule a Wednesday vote was "rushing it."
Lankford stands down
Sen. James Lankford (R-OK), the lead Republican negotiator on the deal, said on Monday evening that he has no idea whether a vote will proceed Wednesday (it won't).
Lankford: Senate Border-Ukraine Procedural Vote Likely to Fail
— zerohedge (@zerohedge) February 6, 2024
Why Senator? Did you finally read the bill the lobbyists drafted for you?
Schumer throws a fit
Speaking on the Senate floor Tuesday, the Democratic Senator said that "After months of good faith negotiations, after months of giving Republicans many of the things they asked for, Leader McConnell and the Republican conference are ready to kill the national security supplemental package, even with the border provisions they so fervently demanded."
Schumer said he would be willing to delay the procedural vote until Thursday, but expressed doubts that it would make a difference (it won't).
"We’ll even offer to delay that vote until some time Thursday to give even more time for senators to make up their minds. But I suspect they won’t accept even that offer because they really don’t want more time. They’re just using it as an excuse."
On Monday, former President Donald Trump slammed the border bill and called for a 'separate' package that's not tied to foreign aid.
"Only a fool, or a Radical Left Democrat, would vote for this horrendous Border Bill, which only gives Shutdown Authority after 5000 Encounters a day, when we already have the right to CLOSE THE BORDER NOW, which must be done," he said on Truth Social.
"This Bill is a great gift to the Democrats, and a Death Wish for The Republican Party. It takes the HORRIBLE JOB the Democrats have done on Immigration and the Border, absolves them, and puts it all squarely on the shoulders of Republicans," the former president continued. "Don’t be STUPID!!! We need a separate Border and Immigration bill. It should not be tied to foreign aid in any way, shape or form!"
