Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) on Tuesday said it appeared the Senate’s bipartisan border bill has “no real chance” of becoming law, as a growing number of Republican senators say they would vote against the legislation.
“We had a very robust discussion about whether or not this product could ever become law,” McConnell said at a Senate Republican news conference. “It's been made pretty clear to us by the [House] Speaker that it will not become law.”
Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) has repeatedly stated the Senate’s bill would be “dead on arrival” in the House of Representatives.
The minority leader, though, congratulated key Republican negotiator, Sen. James Lankford (R-OK), who has faced attacks for the bill, and pointed out that the National Border Patrol Council endorsed the legislation, which would restrict illegal immigration.
“I want to congratulate Sen. Lankford on a remarkable job of negotiating with the other side, getting the support of the Border Council.” McConnell said. “But it looks to me, and to most of our members, as if we have no real chance here to make a law.”