(The Center Square) – Both of North Carolina’s senators say they will vote no against heavily debated legislation involving the border.
Sen. Thom Tillis, R-N.C., released a statement on social media shortly after 9 Tuesday morning and Sen. Ted Budd, R-N.C., posted one on Monday.
Tillis commended Sen. James Lankford, R-Okla., for the negotiations, specifically mentioning asylum and parole reform.
Ultimately, however, Tillis said, “I have repeatedly said it would be a mistake to send this bill to the House without the support of a majority of Republican senators, and if it didn’t have a majority, I would not support a futile procedural exercise.
“After reviewing the bill text, there are provisions that are highly problematic, especially considering the fact that President Biden and Secretary Mayorkas caused this border crisis and have refused to use existing laws already on the books to address it. It is hard to trust that the Biden administration would even implement this bill in good faith. I will vote no.”
President Joe Biden and Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas are each embattled by the situation at the border. Investigations that could lead to impeachments are ongoing.
Budd on Monday said, “This deal fails to change the state of the border crisis. The bill normalizes thousands more border crossings per day, institutionalizes catch and release, bails out sanctuary cities, and gives President Biden the ability to delay border wall construction even longer. While I support efforts to boost our nation’s industrial base and support our ally Israel, my core principle has always been that we must secure our own border before we help other countries protect theirs. That is why I will vote no.”
According to sourced reporting by The Center Square on gotaways, and official numbers from the government, an estimated 11 million people are living in or have entered the country illegally since January 2021 when Biden took office.
Biden has told voters he’ll shut down the border if Congress allows, even as his press secretary for months said the border was not open. Worth noting is that Biden on his first day issued an executive order to “declare an immediate termination of the national emergency declaration that was used as a pretext to justify some of the funding diversions for the wall.”
The proclamation directed an immediate pause in the border wall construction projects.
Consensus national polling, including The Center Square Voters’ Voice Poll in January, indicates Republicans care more about securing the borders than Democrats though levels in each party are rising.
Former President Donald Trump has told his party colleagues the proposed deal is a “death wish.”
