Trump’s bill that contained harsh immigration measures and money for his wall flopped in the Senate and finished short of the 60 votes needed for passage.

Trump didn’t come close to the 60 votes that he needed to move the legislation forward. Senator Joe Manchin of West Virginia voting yes with the Republicans. Republican Ses. Tom Cotton and Mike Lee joined with Democrats in voting no.

Before the vote Senate Democratic Leader Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-NY) said:

The president’s plan demands 100% of what the president wants – 5.7 billion for a border wall plus radical new changes to our asylum laws – before reopening the government. For the Republican Leader to call this a “compromise” is laughable. No Democratic sign-off. Not from me, not from Senator Durbin, not from any other Democrat. It’s a harshly partisan proposal that essentially codifies the president’s position that government funding is a bargaining chip. A vote for the president’s plan is an endorsement of government by extortion. If we let him do it today, he’ll do it tomorrow, and tomorrow, and tomorrow. The whole structure of our government will change and the chaos we now see will be magnified.

Even some of my Republican friends have admitted the president’s plan is not a serious offer. A few days ago, my friend from Oklahoma called it a “straw man proposal.” I think that says it all. The President’s plan is a “straw man” – not a serious offer, merely a way to save face.

Trump’s bill was never a serious offer

Trump’s proposal contained a radical crackdown on asylum and his wall money. The Trump bill had no chance of passing the Senate or passing the House. Trump’s bill was a joke. His offer wasn’t serious. It was a PR stunt that was designed to stop his sliding poll numbers. McConnell gave Trump his vote, and his measure crashed and burned in the US Senate.

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Jason Easley

Jason is the managing editor. He is also a White House Press Pool and a Congressional correspondent for PoliticusUSA. Jason has a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science. His graduate work focused on public policy, with a specialization in social reform movements.

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