Senate Republicans, under heavy pressure from former President Donald Trump, will block a procedural motion to begin debate on the bipartisan border security deal this week, leaving funding for the war in Ukraine in limbo for the foreseeable future. A failure to advance the border security deal this week would signal the legislation is unlikely to pass the Senate without major changes. And any revisions to asylum and border security reforms negotiated with the White House and Senate Democrats could scuttle the whole deal. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-New York) filed a cloture motion Monday setting up a midweek vote on ending prolonged debate on the motion to proceed to the bill, however so far at least 19 Senate Republicans oppose the bill.
For today, the Senate is expected to continue work on nominations and will take up the nomination of Kurt Campbell to be Deputy Secretary of State and the nomination of Amy M. Baggio to be United States District Judge for the District of Oregon.
The House convened at 12:00 P.M. and is considering H. Res. 863 – Impeaching Alejandro Nicholas Mayorkas, Secretary of Homeland Security, for high crimes and misdemeanors. The Republican led effort to impeach the homeland security secretary, on charges that he has willfully refused to enforce border laws and breached the public trust, comes as Republicans pursue a partisan indictment of President Joe Biden’s immigration policies. It remains unclear whether leaders would have enough G.O.P. support to charge Mr. Mayorkas. With Republicans in control of the House by a minuscule margin — and Democrats solidly opposed — they can afford no more than two defections. Two of their members have already said they will vote no, with a few others still publicly undecided.
The House is also expected to take up H.R. 7217 – Making emergency supplemental appropriations to respond to the attacks in Israel for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2024 Under Suspension of the Rules. The bill is being put forth as an alternative to the Senate’s emergency funding bill for Israel, Ukraine, Taiwan and border security. It’s coming up under a process that requires a two-thirds majority to pass and is on track to fall short of that threshold. Democratic Leadership and Committee ranking members argued “strongly” against the bill at their weekly caucus meeting and urged all Democrats to oppose it.
