(The Guardian) Top Senate Democrat Schumer acknowledges opposition to Border Act, says hopes vote 'will bring serious-minded Republicans back to the table'
In a letter to lawmakers, Chuck Schumer, the Senate’s Democratic majority leader, appealed to Republicans to reconsider their opposition to the bipartisan Border Act as he moves towards holding a vote on the stalled immigration reform legislation this week.
He also acknowledged that the bill, which is intended to reduce migrant arrivals, may not win unanimous support from Democrats. Some advocates for migrants have decried the legislation as a hardline policy that would undercut the US’s humanitarian obligations.
“We are hopeful this bipartisan proposal will bring serious-minded Republicans back to the table to advance this bipartisan solution for our border,” Schumer said. “I will be honest: I do not expect all Democrats to support this legislation. Many of our colleagues do not support some of the provisions in this legislation, nor do I expect all Republicans to agree to every provision. But that is often how bipartisan legislation must be shaped when dealing with an issue as complex and politically charged as our nation’s immigration laws.”
He also attacked Donald Trump for publicly urging that the legislation be opposed earlier this year, when it was attached to a foreign aid package for Israel, Ukraine and Taiwan’s militaries. That measure eventually passed as a standalone bill. Here’s what Schumer had to say: Back in January, the former president urged congressional Republicans to kill the bipartisan bill, telling the world proudly to ‘blame it on me’. The American people do not have the luxury of playing partisan blame games. They want bipartisan action to secure our border.
In a letter to lawmakers, Chuck Schumer, the Senate’s Democratic majority leader, appealed to Republicans to reconsider their opposition to the bipartisan Border Act as he moves towards holding a vote on the stalled immigration reform legislation this week.
He also acknowledged that the bill, which is intended to reduce migrant arrivals, may not win unanimous support from Democrats. Some advocates for migrants have decried the legislation as a hardline policy that would undercut the US’s humanitarian obligations.
“We are hopeful this bipartisan proposal will bring serious-minded Republicans back to the table to advance this bipartisan solution for our border,” Schumer said. “I will be honest: I do not expect all Democrats to support this legislation. Many of our colleagues do not support some of the provisions in this legislation, nor do I expect all Republicans to agree to every provision. But that is often how bipartisan legislation must be shaped when dealing with an issue as complex and politically charged as our nation’s immigration laws.”
He also attacked Donald Trump for publicly urging that the legislation be opposed earlier this year, when it was attached to a foreign aid package for Israel, Ukraine and Taiwan’s militaries. That measure eventually passed as a standalone bill. Here’s what Schumer had to say: Back in January, the former president urged congressional Republicans to kill the bipartisan bill, telling the world proudly to ‘blame it on me’. The American people do not have the luxury of playing partisan blame games. They want bipartisan action to secure our border.
