Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) today released the following statement after Senate Republicans blocked Senate Democrats from again setting up a vote on the agreement crafted by Democrats and Republicans that would meaningfully reform the immigration system and better secure the borders:
“For the second time this year, I voted to improve border security, hire more border patrol officers, add immigration judges, increase lawful pathways to citizenship, and reform the broken asylum system. And for the second time this year, Republicans voted to keep the border mess exactly as it is so they can try to exploit it as a political prop.
“For months, Republicans wavered on supporting our allies in Ukraine and Israel while calling for immigration reform and border security. But as soon as Senators on both sides of the aisle came to an agreement, Republicans – heeding calls for chaos from the former President Trump – tanked their own effort.
“Democrats and President Biden stand ready to pass a serious bill as soon as Republicans decide to find the will to address the problem at the border.”
