Schumer To Hold Messaging Vote On Bipartisan Border Security Bill

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) will bring the bipartisan border security package to the floor for a vote this week. The bill, which failed to pass the Senate earlier this year after an intervention former President Donald Trump, is expected to fail again with most Republicans and some Democrats likely to vote against the package.

• Despite the high probability of failure, the vote will serve as an exercise in messaging on one of the most salient issues of the 2024 presidential election. It will offer President Biden flexibility to push for some executive actions on the border and provide cover for vulnerable Democrats defending seats in red states. Notably, Senators Jon Tester (D-MO) and Sherrod Brown (D-OH) – both needing to significantly outperform Biden to hold their seats - can limit their exposure to the issue by arguing they have voted in favour of a strict border package.
• Schumer said in a letter to Democrat lawmakers: “Back in January, the former President urged Congressional Republicans to kill the bipartisan bill... The American people do not have the luxury of playing partisan blame games ... American people deserve political leaders who will work towards bipartisan solutions...”
• Senator Brian Schatz (D-HI) said: “We are not going to stop talking about this… We’re tired of being on defense about this. Frankly, our argument is better. The Republicans unanimously tanked tough border policy because their boss told them to.”