Moderates balking at Senate border bill

politico.com ^ | 7/24/14 | Burgess Everett

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Louisiana Sen. Mary Landrieu will oppose her leadership’s border aid package, complicating Senate Democrats’ plan to pass the legislation before August recess.

The Democratic senator said in an interview that she has two main problems with the bill: Lack of coordinating language for the multiple government agencies that will receive funding from the bill and “little faith” in the State Department’s ability to use its share of the money to combat the violent atmosphere back in home countries of undocumented migrants.

“Those are the two reasons that I am a no. And it’s unlikely those will be fixed,” said Landrieu, who chairs the Appropriations Subcommittee on Homeland Security. The Department of Homeland Security will receive $1.1 billion under the legislation.

Her position marks a major blow to Democratic efforts to address an influx of undocumented immigrants seeking asylum from drug violence in Guatemala, El Salvador and Honduras. Senate Democratic leaders have proposed a $3.57 billion package — with $2.7 billion directed to the border — and will likely need every member of their party to support it to offset Republican opposition.

And other centrist senators — who Democrats would likely need on their side — are also balking at the bill, which does not include policy changes to a 2008 law which affords Central American migrants greater protections than other immigrants.

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The things nightmares are made of.

[VRWCarea51]

Murkowski at least has career opportunities after congress:

Guest star on tales of the crypt!