Schumer announced the Senate will vote this week on a previously blocked bipartisan border bill

CNN
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Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, trying to put political pressure on Republicans, announced Sunday that the chamber will vote this week on the long-negotiated bipartisan border bill. Republicans were blocked earlier this year.

The New York Democrat called the legislation “a tough, serious-minded, and — critically, bipartisan — plan to secure our border” in a “Dear Colleague” letter.

An initial package of tougher border rules and foreign aid to US allies was blocked by the Senate in February amid attacks from Republicans and former President Donald Trump. to the White House. Senate Passed A separate foreign aid package last month.

“In January, the former president urged congressional Republicans to kill a bipartisan bill, proudly telling the world to ‘blame it on me.’ It did not specify when it would be taken.

Schumer acknowledged that he doesn’t expect all Democrats to support a stand-alone border bill — something some caucus members said earlier this year that the legislation “missed the mark.” Republican leaders have already said they oppose Schumer’s move to withdraw the legislation, which would prevent the bill from getting the 60 votes it needs to advance.

President Joe Biden previously endorsed Border rules, and while Trump and other Republicans have called it too weak, the bill would have marked a drastic change in immigration law and would have given the president long-standing powers to control illegal immigrants at the southern border.

The White House and top Democrats have debated further action at the border First Presidential Debate next month, CNN previously reported. Sources told CNN that the plans, aimed at strengthening the party’s hand on a key campaign issue ahead of the 2024 election, include a major executive order limiting the ability of immigrants to seek asylum.

CNN Priscilla Alvarez, MJ Lee, Clare ForanMorgan Rimmer et al Manu Raju contributed to this report.