Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell encountered a significant setback as a bipartisan border bill collapsed, underscoring the mounting challenge he faces in maintaining control over his conference.
McConnell contended that the border legislation would address the substantial influx of migrants across the border and could potentially represent the last chance for years to revamp outdated immigration and asylum laws.
However, McConnell encountered staunch opposition from former President Trump, who repeatedly urged GOP lawmakers to reject any deal that didn’t align with their demands.
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Trump took to social media to denounce the bill as a “horrendous Border Bill” and deemed it a “great gift to the Democrats, and a Death Wish for The Republican Party.”
Ultimately, McConnell conceded that there was no viable path forward for the bill, as reported by The Hill on Wednesday, February 7.
This development cast doubt on whether Congress would authorize new funding for Ukraine in its conflict with Russia, a key priority for McConnell.
Several factors contribute to McConnell’s struggles in steering the GOP toward his preferred course.
The absence of longstanding allies like retired Senators Roy Blunt, Rob Portman, and Lamar Alexander has made it increasingly challenging for McConnell to push through major legislation.
Many of these retired senators have been succeeded by Republicans aligned with the MAGA movement and endorsed by Trump.
The resurgence of Trump, who has clashed with McConnell previously and is poised to be the Republican Party’s presidential nominee in the next election, presents another formidable obstacle for McConnell.
Trump’s support within the Senate GOP ranks has steadily grown, with at least 30 GOP senators formally backing his campaign.
Senators aligned with Trump, such as JD Vance and Eric Schmitt, who secured their seats with Trump’s endorsement, lambasted McConnell and spearheaded opposition to the bipartisan border security deal.
Vance criticized the bill as a “Ukraine-first bill masquerading as a border security bill,” while Schmitt labeled it a “total disaster.”
They urged their GOP colleagues to vote against advancing the bill on the Senate floor.
Senator Ted Cruz joined Vance and Schmitt in calling for McConnell to step down from his leadership role, underscoring the need for a Republican leader who would advance the party’s priorities.
In response to Cruz’s remarks, McConnell quipped about Cruz’s lack of support, alluding to their history of disagreements.
McConnell also acknowledged that his efforts to advance the border security and Ukraine funding package had fallen short.
He noted that Speaker Mike Johnson, a staunch Trump ally, had rebuffed attempts to pass a $118 billion defense supplemental spending bill with border reforms, indicating Trump’s considerable influence in the bill’s demise.
McConnell’s deputy, Senate Republican Whip John Thune, affirmed that there wouldn’t be adequate Republican votes to initiate debate on the bill.
Despite endorsements from influential organizations like the National Border Patrol Council and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, numerous Republican senators were unwilling to risk incurring Trump’s criticism by supporting the bill.
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, who collaborated with McConnell on the Ukraine funding and border security package, expressed disappointment over the bill’s collapse and attributed it to Trump’s sway.
Schumer suggested that McConnell and the Republican conference had reversed their stance due to apprehensions about Trump, describing it as a “bad moment for the Republic.”
