An elusive fix for an Obama-era program that protects young illegal immigrants brought to the country as children could end up in next month's massive government funding bill, GOP senators predict.
Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., said Monday that including a short-term deal on the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals in the funding legislation was one of three potential paths — and the most likely one, The Hill reported.
"That's probably the most likely thing, when we write the funding of the government bill we'll extend DACA legislatively, making it legal for a year or two and kind of punting it," Graham said.
Other options would be, doing nothing, or finding the "sweet spot" that would pair a permanent fix for DACA with border wall funding, he said.
Sen. Shelley Moore Capito, R-W.Va., said Monday she would prefer a permanent fix, but also predicts an agreement will become part of the March funding bill.
"I have a feeling what we may see on this is . . . a DACA fix and some border security, a much smaller package, that will be attached to the March 22 spending bill. If I was guessing what was going to happen, I think that's what may happen," Capito told radio station WRNR in West Virginia.
Senators have already rejected four immigration proposals, but now, Sens. Jeff Flake, R-Ariz., and Heidi Heitkamp, D-N.D., are working on legislation to pair a three-year DACA extension with $7.6 billion in border security funding, The Hill reported.
The pair is talking about trying to get it included in the funding bill, The Hill reported.
Congress has until March 24 to pass a government funding bill and prevent the third partial shutdown of the year; Flake believes Congress does "better with a deadline," and also believes a DACA fix in the massive funding bill was their "best" option.
Sen. John Kennedy, R-La., said he does not want the two to be linked, but he would not be "surprised" if that happens.
"I wouldn't be surprised to see the issue come up when we vote on the budget," he said Monday, The Hill reported. "I hope it doesn't. I think you're mixing apples and oranges, but I wouldn't be surprised."
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