Under the influence of former President Donald Trump, many elected Republicans are denouncing the bipartisan border security bill.<\/strong>\u00a0The bill, the details of which were released on Monday, includes $20 billion<\/a> in new funding for Border Patrol agents, officials to process asylum claims, and other resources for the Department of Homeland Security. Negotiated by Sen. James Lankford (R\u2013Okla.) and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D\u2013N.Y.), the bill would also dole out significant foreign aid to Israel ($14 billion) and Ukraine ($60 billion).<\/p>\n

There’s just one problem: Trump hates it.<\/p>\n

“Only a fool, or a Radical Left Democrat, would vote for this horrendous Border Bill, which only gives Shutdown Authority after 5000 Encounters a day, when we already have the right to CLOSE THE BORDER NOW, which must be done,” the former president wrote on Truth Social.<\/a> Trump’s comment refers to a provision of the bill<\/a> that would allow the federal government to police immigration more strictly\u2014i.e., by rejecting most asylum claimants\u2014once illegal border-crossings exceed a threshold of 5,000 per day.<\/p>\n

Denunciation of the bill has been widespread. Rep. Chip Roy (R\u2013Texas) called it<\/a> a trap “designed by Democrats to boost Biden against Trump.” Sen. Ted Cruz (R\u2013Texas) said the bill was a “monstrosity<\/a>.” Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis said it showed contempt<\/a> for the American taxpayers.<\/p>\n

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell remains staunchly committed<\/a> to funding Ukraine’s defense against Russia, and was supportive of Lankford’s efforts. But after reading the room, he decided to come out against the bill after all.<\/p>\n

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NEWS \u2014 McConnell recommended to GOP senators behind closed doors that they BLOCK the border bill on Wednesday, per multiple sources, bc it’s clear that most Republicans are preparing to vote no \u2014 either because they oppose the bill or want more time. w\/ @bresreports<\/a> @JakeSherman<\/a><\/p>\n

— Andrew Desiderio (@AndrewDesiderio) February 6, 2024<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n