Indiana’s two U.S. senators split on legislation to provide more money to address the surge of Central American minors crossing illegally into the country.
U.S. Sen. Joe Donnelly, a Democrat, voted for a procedural measure to allow a vote on the proposal, S. 2648. Sen. Dan Coats, a Republican, voted no. The measure garnered 50 yeas to 44 nays in the Thursday evening vote, but it needed 60 votes to pass, per Senate rules, thus it dies.
As of Friday, the GOP-led U.S. House was “frantically” scrambling to pass its own proposal ahead of a recess, Politico reported, but nothing was certain.
“The GOP legislation, which was rewritten twice to attract support, had trouble getting off the ground, and if the House doesn’t vote, lawmakers will head back to their districts to hear from voters with a crisis raging at the border,“ said Politico. U.S. Rep. Jackie Walorski, a Republican, serves Elkhart County in the House.
The issue of increasing numbers of unaccompanied minors from Honduras, Guatemala and El Salvador sneaking into the country due to chaos and violence at home has drawn intense attention from lawmakers. It’s even resonated here locally.