House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) is preparing to introduce controversial legislation banning “birth tourism”, or when a pregnant woman enters the U.S. to secure citizenship for their children.
According to Politico, Johnson plans to introduce the bill to mollify far-right caucus members he angered.
The House Speaker had pledged to hold a vote before July 4 on legislation codifying President Donald Trump’s border security priorities in exchange for hard-liners’ support on a narrower immigration funding bill. When that vote never occurred, rebellious GOP members halted legislative business, forcing leadership to adjourn early for the holiday recess, Politico explains.
Political analysts view the timing as evidence of Johnson’s desperation to repair fractured relationships within his divided caucus.
“House passage of a measure to crack down the practice would be largely symbolic, as it stands no chance of overcoming the Senate filibuster,” Politico reports.
The Republican caucus remains deeply fractured on immigration policy.
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