[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 95 (Tuesday, June 4, 2024)]
[Senate]
[Page S3938]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                            BORDER SECURITY

  Mr. SCHUMER. Mr. President, on the border, later today, President 
Biden is expected to issue an Executive order addressing the problems 
happening at our southern border.
  As the President makes his announcement, let's be very clear about 
one thing: Legislation would have been the more effective way to go. 
President Biden has been clear from the beginning that he prefers 
legislation, but given how obstinate Republicans have become, turning 
down any real opportunity for strong border legislation, the President 
is left with little choice but to act on his own. Republican 
intransigence has forced the President's hand.
  For years, Republicans have insisted, again and again and again, that 
the border was in crisis, but when they had the opportunity to correct 
it, they killed the strongest bipartisan bill Congress has seen in 
decades. Why did they kill it? At the behest of Donald Trump, who said 
he wanted chaos at the border until after the election.
  Shame on our Republican friends. They say they want to protect the 
border. Donald Trump comes out with a very crass statement--``Let's 
keep in chaos so I might win the election''--and they go along? They do 
a 180-degree turn? That is a disgrace, and it has forced President 
Biden to act the way he does, which is a lot better than doing nothing 
but not as preferable as passing legislation, as the President admits.
  We had an opportunity to pass a strong bipartisan border bill back in 
February and just over a few weeks ago. Both times, Republicans put 
politics ahead of bipartisanship and blundered the best chance we have 
seen in decades to pass a border security bill America urgently needs. 
Americans will not easily forget it.
  I yield the floor.
  I suggest the absence of a quorum.
  The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. The clerk will call the roll.
  The senior assistant legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.
  Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order 
for the quorum call be rescinded.
  The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. Without objection, it is so 
ordered.

                          ____________________