Democrats line up to reject border package as GOP scrambles to secure 218 votes
Cami Mondeaux
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Democrats are lining up to reject the GOP-led border security bill before it comes to the House floor this week, seeking to create a wall of opposition just big enough to thwart Republican efforts to secure the number of votes needed to pass the legislation.
The House is scheduled to vote on Thursday to pass the Secure the Border Act, a 213-page bill that would implement several new policies as a means to secure the border and combat illegal immigration. Democrats have come out in staunch opposition to the legislation, calling it an “unserious” proposal that would wreak havoc on the economy.
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“This extreme and partisan proposal is not a real solution to the challenges we are seeing today,” members of the New Dem Immigration & Border Security Task Force wrote in a memo this week. “In contrast to this partisan approach, New Dems are eager to work with responsible Republicans on an immigration bill that truly secures the border, protects Dreamers, and solves the workforce challenges we are seeing from farms to pharmacies.”
Although it remains unclear how each Democrat will vote, some party members expressed confidence in a united front as they pointed to alternative legislative solutions they hope to put forward later this week.
“No,” Rep. Linda Sanchez (D-CA) said when asked if she has concerns of Democrats backing the GOP bill. “I’m fairly confident that the enforcement-only approach that they’re taking — Democratic members understand that is not a solution. It’s only going to exacerbate the problem.”
Meanwhile, Republicans have run into some opposition from within their own party that could threaten to sink the legislation. GOP leaders delayed a vote to advance the bill to the full House for consideration on Wednesday afternoon as House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) worked to secure the votes needed to pass the lower chamber.
Due to his slim majority in the House, McCarthy can only afford to lose four GOP votes if all members are in attendance. That could be further complicated by the absence of Rep. George Santos (R-NY), who was arraigned in New York court Wednesday afternoon on 13 counts.
The GOP package has so far failed to win over some border-state lawmakers such as Reps. Tony Gonzalez (R-TX) and Henry Cuellar (D-TX), who said he would not support the legislation. Gonzalez emerged from a meeting with McCarthy on Wednesday afternoon telling reporters he was still undecided, noting there were still disagreements over some of its provisions.
The legislation would implement several new policies by forcing the Biden administration to restart border wall construction, hire more Border Patrol agents with increased pay, and end its catch-and-release practices, among other things.
However, some Republicans have expressed concerns with a provision that would require certain employers to utilize E-Verify, a web-based system that confirms a worker’s immigration status and eligibility to work in the United States before being hired. Some members expressed concern the measure would harm the agricultural sector, which often relies on immigrant labor.
Key holdouts on that provision include Reps. David Valadao (R-CA), Tim Burchett (R-TN), and Dan Newhouse (R-WA), as well as Rep. Thomas Massie (R-KY) who said he would not support the legislation unless E-Verify was stripped from the bill’s language altogether.
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Several House members met with McCarthy’s in the speaker’s office on Wednesday afternoon to iron out “final details” while GOP leadership delayed floor proceedings until they could secure majority support. It’s not yet clear when the House will reconvene, but GOP leaders have expressed confidence the bill will move forward this week.
Even if Republicans manage to pass the legislation through the House, its future remains uncertain in the Democratic-led Senate. The White House has come out in opposition of the bill, with President Joe Biden threatening to veto the legislation should it reach his desk.