Schumer To Resurrect Bipartisan Border Bill, Biden Considers Exec Actions

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) is reportedly preparing to resurrect the bipartisan border billwhich was torpedoed by allies of former president Donald Trump earlier this year.

• Schumer said on the Senate floor yesterday: "...we’re going to continue to pursue this issue... Passing a bipartisan bill is a lot better than making a lot of speeches, doing a lot of finger pointing, and getting nothing done on the border."
• Axios reports that Schumer could hold a vote as soon as next week, noting that the bill's failure, “would bolster the White House's standing to pull the trigger on similar, harsh restrictions using executive authorities — while blaming Senate Republicans for inaction.”
• Some measures on immigration are likely crucial to President Biden if he is to reduce his political vulnerability on border security – regularly cited in polls as the top issue for voters this election cycle.
• The Biden administration has for months been considering a wide range of executive actions to bolster security at the border, enhance agencies which deal with asylum claims, and allow the president to shutdown the border if migrant encounters cross a certain threshold.
• However, any such move could be subject to judicial intervention and the White House argues that, “no executive action, no matter how aggressive, can deliver the significant policy reforms and additional resources Congress can provide and that Republicans rejected.”