In a letter to colleagues, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., announced the upcoming vote on the Border Act, which had previously stalled after Republicans withdrew their support. Schumer criticized Republicans for yielding to pressure from former President Donald Trump, who had demanded that they reject the legislation.
The Democrat-led bill seeks to overhaul U.S. asylum laws, increase the number of border patrol agents, and combat fentanyl smuggling. It was initially tied to U.S. foreign aid for Ukraine and Israel but will now be considered as a standalone measure.
The release of the letter coincides with record numbers of migrants crossing the U.S.-Mexico border since President Joe Biden took office in 2021. Border security has become a major focus of the upcoming presidential campaign, with Trump seeking to return to office by challenging Biden in the November election.
Schumer expressed hope that the bipartisan proposal would attract support from Republicans and lead to a collaborative solution to the border security issue. Reuters contributed to this report.
