House Republican Leaders have pushed for next week’s planned markup to multiple border security and immigration bills to be delayed as they contend with infighting among members — a move that will surely upset immigration hawks eager for the caucus to take action.
Punchbowl News was the first to report on Thursday (March 23) that House GOP leadership has asked House Judiciary Committee Chair Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) to Delay next week’s planned considerations of as many as eight immigration and border bills.
The delay means that House Republicans will only make the considerations after April’s recess, meaning the House GOP would have spent at least four months in control of the lower chamber with no legislation to tackle the border crisis.
Jordan confirmed to Punchbowl News that the GOP has “eight pieces of legislation that we think makes sense,” noting that they would wrap it up ASAP but were working with “the whole conference.”
The mission to get legislation they can agree on is vital, as the five-seat majority in the House puts the GOP in a precarious position that means they cannot have any defection.
Although House Republicans seem to be in sync on the broad strokes of tackling the migrant crisis, deep fissures have emerged among members, particularly surrounding legislation introduced by Rep. Chip Roy (R-Texas).
Roy introduced legislation that would allow the Department of Homeland Security to block the entry of illegal migrants into the U.S. until there is “operational control” of the border.
His biggest GOP critics suggest such legislation is un-American because it bans asylum — an assertion Roy rejects.
But with all the plans that have been proposed, the party is struggling to nail down one legislation that would please everyone in the caucus.
