GOP Blocks McConnell’s Support Plan for Sanctuary Cities

(ProsperNews.net) – GOP Senators blocked a financial bailout for so-called “sanctuary cities” and states, which Republican Senate leader Mitch McConnell pushed forward. The proposals were buried within the border bill that passed the Senate but will likely fall in the House as Speaker Johnson denounced it and said it would not tackle the “catastrophe” at America’s border.

According to the conservative Heritage Foundation, the bill would allow “sanctuary” jurisdictions to utilize federal grants provided by the Departments of Homeland Security, State, Justice, and Health and Human Services to provide for the needs of illegal migrants.

If the bill fails, as is expected, some Democrats have indicated that they will use Medicaid funding for shelters and other services for migrants. Massachusetts Democrat Rep. Jacob Auchincloss described using the Medicaid waiver to fund migrant services as “the best avenue for federal funding.” The Medicaid waiver allows states to target funding at certain groups that are considered vulnerable and permits state governments to use federal funds to provide services that Medicaid would not usually cover.

Jessica Vaughan, the policy director at the Center for Immigration Studies, said the fall of the bill would be a “huge problem” for Democrats already struggling to provide for high numbers of immigrants, adding that some states are cutting vital services to make up the shortfall.

Some Democrats, including ESPN sports commentator Stephen Smith, publicly denounced federal and state expenditure for migrants while Americans go without. On his podcast in February, Smith said, “I see homeless folks in the streets of New York all the time that are American citizens.” He went on to ask how America can find so much money for illegal migrants but has nothing to offer its own poor and impoverished people.

Donald Trump called on the GOP in Congress to block the border bill and prevent Democrats from claiming victory over immigration during an election year. He said it represented a “death wish” for the Republican Party.