Congress will be out of session for the next week, but as lawmakers leave D.C. for their home states, they are leaving behind a long to-do list for when they return. One major issue that has yet to be resolved is border security. Senate Democrats failed to advance a bipartisan border security bill for a second time on Thursday. Nearly every Republican voted against the bill due to Donald Trump's plan to use the border chaos as a centerpiece of his campaign against Joe Biden, even though they got much of what they asked for in that bill when it was bipartisan.
Chuck Schumer's intent behind putting this bill to a vote was seen as a political move. With no must-pass legislation on the to-do list until fall and elections approaching, leaders are using floor time for messaging bills. Schumer's gambit aimed to give Democrats ammunition to campaign on and to allow vulnerable Senate Democrats to vote publicly in favor of border security.
Despite the bill's failure, there may be future attempts to address border security. The White House is considering executive action, and legislation discussions are expected, especially in the House. Senate Democrats will likely use the failed vote as campaign material.
Regarding the invitation of Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to address Congress, Speaker Mike Johnson's invite letter has not reached Netanyahu as Schumer has not yet signed it. Schumer, who previously criticized Netanyahu, is expected to sign the letter, though some progressives have raised concerns about the invitation.
