Full List of Senate Republicans Trying to Kill Border Bill

Republican senators are opposing a $118 billion border deal unveiled Sunday night following months of negotiations as lawmakers seek to grapple with an uptick in migrant arrivals at the U.S.-Mexico border.

The bipartisan bill would address key concerns faced at the southern border, increasing the ICE detention capacity from 34,000 to 50,000 and allocate $20 billion to immigration enforcement.

It also includes $14 billion in aid to Israel, $60 billion for Ukraine, $4.83 billion to Indo-Pacific nations and $10 billion in humanitarian funding for Ukraine, Gaza and the West Bank.

Congressional negotiators aimed to strike a balance between measures to strengthen the border favored by Republicans, who control the House of Representatives, and immigration reform supported by Democrats, who control the Senate. Passage of the bill would require support from both political parties due to the divided state of government.

However, the bill is already facing scrutiny from many conservatives.

At least 11 Senate Republicans have come out against the bill, arguing it does not go far enough on border security measures. Meanwhile, it also faces daunting odds in the House, where Speaker Mike Johnson knocked it as "worse than we expected."

Newsweek has reached out to Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell's office via email for comment.

Here is a full list of GOP senators who are opposing the bipartisan border deal

Marsha Blackburn of Tennessee

Sen. Marsha Blackburn wrote that she will "not support this deal" and "never vote to make illegal immigration legal" in a post to X, formerly Twitter, after the legislation was unveiled.

Ted Cruz of Texas

Sen. Ted Cruz, who represents the crucial border state of Texas and faces a potentially competitive reelection race later this year, responded to the bill on X, signaling he would not support the bill in its current state.

"Two weeks ago, at a Senate press conference, I said this deal was a 'stinking pile of c***.' It turns out my assessment was too generous," he wrote.

Steve Daines of Montana

On Monday morning, Sen. Steve Daines became the first member of GOP leadership to oppose the bill, writing, "I can't support a bill that doesn't secure the border, provides taxpayer-funded lawyers to illegal immigrants and gives billions to radical open borders groups. I'm a no."

Daines serves as the chairman for the National Republican Senatorial Committee.

Josh Hawley of Missouri

Sen. Josh Hawley raised several concerns with the legislation Sunday night, calling it an "open borders bill." He ripped the bill for placing no new restrictions on unaccompanied minors arriving at the border and providing expedited work permits to undocumented immigrants.

"This border deal is a huge middle finger to working people. The cheap labor machine keeps on running," he wrote.

Ron Johnson of Wisconsin

Sen. Ron Johnson wrote in a post to X that the bill "appears even worse than we feared."

Mike Lee of Utah

Sen. Mike Lee issued a warning to Senate Republican leadership over the bill, describing it as "disqualifying."

"Senate GOP leadership screwed this up—and screwed us. Even while refusing to let us see the bill they claimed to be negotiating on our behalf—for MONTHS—they were never in doubt, insisting we'd be dumb and even unpatriotic NOT to support it. This is a disqualifying betrayal," he wrote.

Rand Paul of Kentucky

Sen. Rand Paul, who has opposed foreign aid, said he would vote against the bill and said it is "anti-American."

"Amazing. This predictable revelation is only a week old and yet the Swamp's new 'border security' bill gives Ukraine $60 billion more....from the squandering of your money to the fake border reforms, it's safe to declare this bill as anti-American," he wrote on X.

Marco Rubio of Florida

Sen. Marco Rubio said the deal is an "easy no" that "reads like a parody of an actual border security bill" in a post to X.

Rick Scott of Florida

Sen. Rick Scott said the legislation "looks more like an immigration bill, not a border security bill."

Eric Schmitt of Missouri

Sen. Eric Schmitt called on 41 senators to "stand firm" to prevent the bill from being passed in a post to X.

"This bill is worse than advertised. The Democrats are celebrating. Big wins for the Open Borders crowd," he wrote.

Tommy Tuberville of Alabama

Sen. Tommy Tuberville warned the bill "DESTROYS American sovereignty" in a post to X, adding that he is an "immovable no."

"It will weaken immigration laws for decades and handcuff the next president that actually wants to secure our borders and defend our country. This bill has been crafted to solidify the invasion of illegals into the United States of America," he wrote.

J.D. Vance of Ohio

Senator J.D. Vance asked why "any Republican" would "vote for this" in a post criticizing the bill on X.

He shared analysis of the bill posted by Sen. Chris Murphy, a Democrat, who wrote that the "border never closes," but that claims must be processed at land ports under the bill.

"The border never closes" is a good summary of this bill, and of [President] Joe Biden's policy. I can understand why Chris Murphy supports it. I cannot imagine why any Republican supports this atrocious proposal," Vance wrote.