Saying that Trump had the border bill killed is not hyperbole. He really did. In doing so he ticked off a lot of Republican lawmakers.
REPUBLICANS IN FAVOR OF THE BORDER BILL:
"I had a popular right wing commentator that told me flat out, if you try to move a bill that solves the border crisis during this presidential year, I will do whatever I can to destroy you." - Senator James Lankford (R) OK
"Things have changed over the last four months, and it's been made perfectly clear by the speaker that he wouldn't take it up even if we sent it to him. And so I think that's probably why most of our members think we ought to have opposition." - Senator Mitch McConnell (R) KY, February 6, 2024
"This is a historic moment. I can assure my GOP friends we won’t get a better deal with Trump as president. To get this kind of border security without granting a pathway to citizenship is really unheard of."
Senator Lindsey Graham (R) SC, January 25, 2024
"Any efforts to disrupt the ongoing negotiations are tragic. I hope no one is trying to take this away for campaign purposes.” - Senator Todd Young (R) IN, January 25, 2024
“The border is a very important issue for Donald Trump. And the fact that he would communicate to Republican senators and Congress people that he doesn’t want us to solve the border problem — because he wants to blame Biden for it — is really appalling.” - Senator Mitt Romney (R) UT, -Utah, January 25, 2024
“The legislation is by no means perfect, but it would address our border humanitarian and national security crisis and is a substantial improvement over the chaos and lawlessness that characterize the border now.” - Senator Susan Collins (R) ME, February 7, 2024
"I don't know if anyone could convince Trump to not kill the deal. That would take some courage for members to be able to press ahead at this point in defiance of Trump." - Senator Thom Tillis (R) NC, January 25, 2024
People will make up whatever reasons they want to. There's a number of them, I'm sure. But it would be a pretty unacceptable dereliction of your duty." – Rep. Dan Crenshaw (R) TX
“Is it really better to have 10,000 people crossing a day illegally or 5,000? Clearly it’s 5,000. So somebody who is trying to defeat legislation, all in the name of running for office? That is irresponsible.” - Senator Bill Cassidy (R) LA, January 25, 2024
“There are a good number of people for whom border security is too good an issue to give up.” - Senator Kevin Cramer (R) ND, January 25, 2024
"This is a unique moment. There’s absolutely no way to get such a deal under Trump unless Republicans get a 60-seat, filibuster-proof majority." - Senator John Thune (R) SD, January 25, 2024
“I’m not giving up. This is not about Trump and this is not about me. This is about our country. This is about security for our own country and so let’s keep pushing to get this border deal.” - Senator Lisa Murkowski (R) AK, January 25, 2024
‘While not perfect, this bill is a step in the right direction and is far better than the current status quo.'
This is why the National Border Patrol Council endorses this bill and hopes for its quick passage.’”
- Senator James Lankford (R) OK
AGAINST THE BORDER BILL:
LAURA INGRAHAM: “Senator, is this deal dead, effectively?”
SENATOR JOSH HAWLEY (R) MO: “I hope so. It should be. If it’s not dead yet it should be dead. There is absolutely no reason to agree to policies that would further enable Joe Biden.”
"Why would I help Joe Biden improve his dismal 33%? Congress doesn't have to do anything to secure our southern border and fix it." - Rep. Troy Nehls (R) TX, January 25, 2024
"This bill will not pass. It's dead on arrival." - Senator Ted Cruz (R) TX
"I don't think now's the time to do comprehensive immigration reform." - Speaker Mike Johnson (R) LA