On Sunday night, Senate negotiators released the text of the much-anticipated bipartisan border security bill after months of negotiations.
The House leadership is strongly opposed to the border bill, as are many conservatives in the Senate, including Utah Sen. Mike Lee. The $118 billion package seeks funding for foreign aid and the southern border as well as immigration reform.
Among Utah delegates, Rep. Burgess Owens applauded House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., for “declaring this bill ‘ Dead on Arrival ’ in the House,” while Rep. Celeste Maloy and Rep. John Curtis suggested Congress should pivot away from the proposal because of the lack of support.
Owens, who represents Utah’s 4th District, in a statement said the bill “incentivizes further illegal immigration and ignores the root cause of this border crisis: Joe Biden.”
He blamed the Biden administration for border policies that he said have led to record-breaking illegal crossings, a lack of security and screenings at the entry points that allow the inflow of deadly drugs to the U.S., and strain border towns that are dealing with the repercussions of the surge in crossings.