WASHINGTON, D.C. — In a 50-47 vote today, the Senate rejected the immigration proposal that followed President Trump’s announcement Saturday.
The proposal, introduced by Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Kentucky), would have reopened the federal government, offered temporary protections for some recipients of DACA and Temporary Protected Status (TPS), and provided $5.7 billion to fund a border wall and nearly $3 billion for other measures. It also would have made asylum requirements stricter, among other provisions.
A second vote, on a continuing resolution that would fund the government for two weeks, failed 52-44.
The following is a statement from Ali Noorani, Executive Director of the National Immigration Forum:
“With 800,000 federal workers about to miss their second paycheck, failure is not an option. A bipartisan agreement that reopens our government and brings stability to federal workers and DACA and TPS recipients is imperative.
“President Trump’s proposal fell short, but its introduction is an important step for Sen. McConnell to bring Democrats and Republicans together for constructive negotiations to forge a smart compromise. A compromise should remain narrow: Strengthen our border security by investing in infrastructure and ports of entry, and strengthen our economy by providing certainty for Dreamers and Temporary Protected Status recipients.
“Americans are looking for unity. Any path forward on immigration must be bipartisan, and Sen. McConnell has an opportunity to craft a compromise that ends this shutdown, keeps Americans safe and permanently extends the American dream to some 1 million hardworking immigrants who are already contributing to our nation.”