Final Text Of Border Security Bill Unlikely To Come Today

Frank Thorp at NBC reporting comments from Senator James Lankford (R-OK), the lead Republican negotiator in the Senate border security talk, stating that its "doubtful" that the final text of the legislative package will be released today.

• Thorp notes that Senator Susan Collins (R-ME), the GOP's chief appropriator, says her panel, "still have not gotten final language from the working group on every single issue.”
• The dispute over the bill has become increasingly acrimonious this week with House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) appearing to rule out any consideration of the bill, a move which Democrats believe is motivated by a desire to keep the border issue 'live' ahead of the presidential election.
• Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) said today: "Senate Democrats remain committed to seeing this bipartisan process through... We will keep working to get the job done."
• Senator Tim Kaine (R-VA): "I think it's going to be approved on the Senate side. I think the House it's a little more of a question mark."
• Congressional Hispanic Caucus Chair Rep Nanette Barragan (D-CA) said: "...there is a growing coalition, of people who have concerns just from what's been reported... with Speaker Johnson saying he's not going to put on the floor, makes me think this is dead."
• Time crunch: The Senate is scheduled to depart next week on a two-week recess so if the bill is released, it will compete for Senate floor time with other legislative priorities, including FY2024 spending bills which must be passed by early March.