WASHINGTON — After weeks of negotiations on Capitol Hill, the bipartisan Senate deal on border security could be doomed.
Just as senators were closing in on a deal that Republican negotiators said would constitute the most conservative border security bill in decades, former President Donald Trump got involved.
He wrote on Truth Social: "I do not think we should do a Border Deal, at all, unless we get EVERYTHING needed to shut down the INVASION of Millions & Millions of people, many from parts unknown, into our once great, but soon to be great again, Country! "
Meaning, a border deal could now be dead.
13News Now wanted to know what local Republicans in Congress think about these developments.
"There's no question about it: we have a crisis at our southern border," said Rep. Rob Wittman (R, VA-01).
In a statement to 13News Now, Wittman continued: "We absolutely need a change in administration to end these open border policies, but that doesn't mean Congress can't take steps now to increase the number of Border Patrol agents, curb the flow on fentanyl into our communities, and reduce the cases of illegal border crossings."
13News Now also reached out to the office of Rep. Jen Kiggans (R, VA-02). In a statement, she said:
“Like those in Hampton Roads, I have been increasingly alarmed by the growing crisis at our Southern Border and the impact it is having on national security and community safety in cities across the country. The worst part is that it’s a self-inflicted crisis…the Biden Administration repealed effective border security policies, refuses to enforce the laws we have on the books, and is doing its best to stop border states from addressing the record-breaking influx of fentanyl, human trafficking, and illegal immigration themselves. Those misguided actions have ensured that this humanitarian and national security crisis cannot be fixed overnight. I remain committed to securing our borders and protecting our communities. This is not a partisan issue but an American issue and needs to be addressed immediately.”
The White House is still holding out hope for a deal.
In an email on Friday, President Joe Biden said, "Congress needs to finally provide the funding I requested in October to secure the border. This includes an additional 1,300 border patrol agents, 375 immigration judges, 1,600 asylum officers, and over 100 cutting-edge inspection machines to help detect and stop fentanyl at our southwest border."
The statement went on to say: "Securing the border through these negotiations is a win for America. For everyone who is demanding tougher border control, this is the way to do it. If you’re serious about the border crisis, pass a bipartisan bill and I will sign it."