The recently unveiled Senate border deal, which was the result of extensive bipartisan negotiations, is already facing significant challenges. Following its release on Sunday night, conservatives from both the House and Senate expressed their strong opposition to the bill. House Majority Leader Steve Scalise wasted no time in delivering a decisive blow to its prospects.
“Let me be clear, The Senate Border Bill will NOT receive a vote in the House,” Scalise wrote on X.
The 370-page bill was emphasized by the Louisiana Republican, who drew attention to a specific provision. This provision stipulates that if the number of recorded border crossings reaches 5,000 per day for a week, automatic expulsion of illegal immigrants will be activated. As a result, those who cross the border would no longer be eligible to apply for asylum.
Scalise expressed concern over this provision, referring to it as a factor that attracts more illegal immigration. This concern arises from the fact that there are also 4,999 other individuals involved in these border crossings.
“Here’s what the people pushing this ‘deal’ aren’t telling you: It accepts 5,000 illegal immigrants a day and gives automatic work permits to asylum recipients — a magnet for more illegal immigration,” he wrote.
Let me be clear: The Senate Border Bill will NOT receive a vote in the House.
Here’s what the people pushing this “deal” aren’t telling you: It accepts 5,000 illegal immigrants a day and gives automatic work permits to asylum recipients—a magnet for more illegal immigration.
— Steve Scalise (@SteveScalise) February 5, 2024
Scalise was not alone in his criticism of the bill, as there were many other conservative detractors, notably House Speaker Mike Johnson, a fellow Republican from Louisiana who has been vocal in his opposition to President Joe Biden.
“If this bill reaches the House, it will be dead on arrival,” Johnson wrote in an X post.
I’ve seen enough. This bill is even worse than we expected, and won’t come close to ending the border catastrophe the President has created. As the lead Democrat negotiator proclaimed: Under this legislation, “the border never closes.”
If this bill reaches the House, it will be…
— Speaker Mike Johnson (@SpeakerJohnson) February 5, 2024
The border deal is even worse than we thought.
No one who cares about our border security should support it. It is a betrayal of the American people.
— Mike Lee (@SenMikeLee) February 5, 2024
"The border never closes" is a good summary of this bill, and of Joe Biden's policy.
I can understand why Chris Murphy supports it. I cannot imagine why any Republican supports this atrocious proposal. https://t.co/ekv7LJ8qbO
— J.D. Vance (@JDVance1) February 5, 2024
