Sen. Marsha Blackburn led several Republicans in criticizing Sen. Chuck Schumer and Democrats for reviving a failed border measure. (Getty Images)
He noted that rather than focusing on fortifying the border, the measure would "more efficiently encounter, process, and disperse illegal migrants," which the Wisconsin Republican described as counterproductive.
Several of the Republican senators reiterated that President Biden currently has all the authority necessary to strengthen and secure the southern border, claiming he just is not willing to do so.
In fact, Sen. Eric Schmitt, R-Mo., pointed out that "they bragged about undoing" former President Trump's border policies via executive action.
MCCONNELL-ALIGNED GROUP SHREDS SEN BROWN’S ‘HANDOUTS FOR ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS’ IN OHIO SPOT
Immigration is a top issue going into the November elections. (James Breeden for New York Post / Mega)
Blackburn claimed the bill's return to the floor this week was motivated by Schumer's desire to retain the majority in the Senate and protect several vulnerable incumbents. She called it an "election year political stunt" to give the party the appearance of caring about the border and acting to fix it.
In floor remarks on Wednesday, Schumer previewed the bill's consideration on Thursday, explaining, "The only way we are going to fix the border is through bipartisan legislation."
The majority leader slammed H.R. 2, which Republicans pushed him to take up instead, calling it "a very partisan bill."
BIDEN ADMIN SKEWERED BY GOP FOR RULE DESIGNED TO ‘INTENTIONALLY HARM’ GUN INDUSTRY
From left to right, Sens. Bob Casey, Sherrod Brown, Jacky Rosen, Tammy Baldwin and Jon Tester face uncertain electoral odds in November. (Getty Images)
"Our bipartisan border bill represented a real chance – in fact, the best chance in decades – to act on border security. To make a law and not just to make a political point," he claimed.
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The measure is expected to fail a test vote on Thursday. It initially failed to garner 60 votes on a key procedural vote in February, dooming its potential inclusion in a foreign aid package at the time. Now, Republicans are poised to once again oppose the bill, with additional Democratic lawmakers coming out against it as well.
Democrats face one of the most difficult Senate election maps in years, with five incumbents up for re-election in some of the most competitive races in the country. Sens. Sherrod Brown, D-Ohio, Jacky Rosen, D-Nev., Bob Casey, D-Penn., Jon Tester, D-Mont., and Tammy Baldwin, D-Wis., are each competing for survival in their respective races in swing states and red states.
Julia Johnson is a politics writer for Fox News Digital and Fox Business, leading coverage of the U.S. Senate. She was previously a politics reporter at the Washington Examiner.
Follow Julia's reporting on X at @JuliaaJohnson_ and send tips to Julia.Johnson@fox.com.
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