Border bill to address immigration crisis seems far off

 Some Senate Republicans pushed to have strict border protections added to that foreign aid bill, which included about $61 billion for Ukraine in its war against Russia's invasion, about $26 billion for Israel in its war against the terrorist group, Hamas, as well as about $8 billion meant to bolster the Indo-Pacific region against China, in part bolstering Taiwan.

Critics said the bill did not do enough to close the border and unnecessarily gave broad powers to the head of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to allow migrants into the U.S. Both Biden and House Republicans have expressed a desire to pass another border bill, but whether they can agree on a bill and get the sign off of a less enthusiastic Senate, seems a tall order.

"Sadly, Senate leadership has shown it has zero interest in holding Biden accountable and securing the border," Sen. Rick Scott, R-Fla., told The Center Square.

"We have to stop illegal immigration and keep Americans safe. President Biden is lawless. His actions to open the border are intentional because he wants to see an invasion of illegal aliens into the United States. Floridians want a secure border TODAY." Republicans in the U.S. House also passed a border legislation that has been largely ignored.

H.R. 2, the "Secure the Border Act of 2023." The bill in question would have forced DHS to continue building the Trump-era border wall and to expedite construction by waiving certain legal requirements.

The bill would also give retention bonuses and better equipment to border patrol agents and would require that U.S. Customs and Border Protection have drones operating at the southern border at all times.

"Last year, the House successfully passed H.R. 2 which would force the Biden Administration to halt the invasion at our southern border. Unfortunately, the Democrat-run Senate refuses to take it up. Republicans should attach H.R. 2 to every must-pass bill going to the Senate." For now passing any bill before November seems unlikely. 

https://www.thecentersquare.com/national/article_86fe823c-07e6-11ef-8d35-1be8a43f1f9f.html