Democrats revive US border security bill as election looms

By AFP
May 21, 2024
US Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer speaks during the weekly Democratic Caucus lunch press conference at the US Capitol building in Washington, US, January 23, 2024. — Reuters
US Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer speaks during the weekly Democratic Caucus lunch press conference at the US Capitol building in Washington, US, January 23, 2024. — Reuters

WASHINGTON: The US Senate´s Democratic leadership will launch a doomed bid this week to resuscitate a sweeping border security bill killed by Republicans as the party of President Joe Biden seeks the upper hand on a key election issue.

Polling has repeatedly identified illegal immigration as voters´ top concern ahead of November´s presidential rematch between Biden and his Republican predecessor Donald Trump, with illegal crossings from Mexico at historic highs.

In a weekend letter to senators, Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said he would bring the Border Act -- hammered over months of negotiations by a Republican, a Democrat and an independent -- back to the floor.