Senate Republicans sink border bill, Ricketts blames Biden

When it comes to the controversial, bipartisan border deal, which appears dead on arrival on Capitol Hill, Sen. Pete Ricketts has more than enough complaints.

Sen. Pete Ricketts, Nebraska (R): “The fact of the matter is Biden wants an open border… this bill does not stop President Biden or any other president from abusing the law in granting mass parole to illegal aliens… this bill also expedites work permits for those who receive parole… finally we don't even know how much this bill would cost.”  

Joe Jordan, NCN: “Senator, I understand your argument that the border bill doesn’t go far enough but isn’t this a classic case of half a loaf is better than none. In an era of divided government, aren’t some border security improvements better than no border security improvements?”

Sen. Pete Ricketts, Nebraska (R): “Well and that would be my point exactly about this bill, Joe. Is that it really doesn't do what it's supposed to do.”

The Republican behind the bill says he’s legitimately surprised.

Sen. James Lankford, (R) Oklahoma: "I've got so many colleagues that are backing away--and I'm not saying it's all based on the political reasons. Some of them have legitimate issues and say, hey I don't like this part of the bill or I wish there was more in it.”

Sen. Mitch McConnell, (R) Minority Leader: “I want to congratulate Senator Lankford on a remarkable job of negotiating with the other side, getting the support of the border counsel, but it looks to me and most of our members that we have no real chance here to make a law."

Sen. Lankford: “Some are backing away also based on the politics of the moment.”

The politics: Reports that former President Donald Trump is telling Republicans to oppose the deal so he can continue to campaign on the issue.

Former President Donald Trump: "We're going to stop cold the invasion on our border. That's an invasion on our southern border."

Sen. Mitt Romney, Utah (R):  "I think 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."

President Joe Biden: "This bill would also give me as president the emergency authority to temporarily shut down the border when it becomes overwhelmed, the numbers are talking over 5,000 people trying to get in one day."

Joe Jordan, NCN: “Senator, the union representing border patrol agents backs the bipartisan deal. If the deal is good enough for the men and women on the front lines, the one’s in harm’s way, shouldn’t that be good enough for you?”

Sen. Ricketts: “The National Border Patrol Council sent a letter today to Sen. Lindsey Graham with three ideas that could make this bill better: 1,000 encounter threshold instead of 5,000; actually detaining instead of catching and releasing; and a cap on parole.”

Again, no indication the legislation is going anywhere.