The INSIDE STORY of How We Defeated the Failed Open Borders Bill – Detailed Summary

Episode Title: The INSIDE STORY of How We Defeated the Failed Open Borders Bill
Host: Ben Ferguson, Premiere Networks
Release Date: February 7, 2024

Introduction

In this compelling episode of The 47 Morning Update, host Ben Ferguson sits down with Senator Ted Cruz to dissect the recent failure of the Senate's Border Disaster Bill. The discussion provides an in-depth look into the bill's shortcomings, the political maneuvers that led to its defeat, and the broader implications for U.S. border security and upcoming elections.

1. The Demise of the Border Disaster Bill

A. Immediate Reaction to the Bill's Failure

The episode opens with a vivid description of the bill's impending vote. Senator Cruz conveys the certainty of the bill's failure, emphasizing the lack of sufficient support within the Senate.

Senator Cruz: "The bill is dead as a doorknob. It is going to fail. You and I are recording this. It's 11:00 at night, Tuesday night, tomorrow, Wednesday, the Senate will vote on what's called cloture on the motion to proceed. That's the initial vote to take up this bill. That's going to fail."
[00:44]

B. Reasons Behind the Failure

Senator Cruz attributes the bill's failure to its inherent flaws and political miscalculations within the Republican leadership.

Senator Cruz: "The reason the bill is going to fail tomorrow is because the bill is a bad bill. It does not fix the problem of our open borders... And in significant ways it makes it worse."
[02:18]

2. Policy Shortcomings of the Border Disaster Bill

A. Codifying Open Borders

One of the primary criticisms is that the bill would have institutionalized policies contrary to effective border security.

Senator Cruz: "This bill would put into law catch and release. When you catch people, you let them go... This bill normalized 5,000 illegal aliens a day. 5,000 illegal aliens a day works out to 1.8 million a year."
[02:52] & [04:49]

B. Financial Misallocations

The bill proposed substantial funding allocations that Senator Cruz argues were ill-conceived and counterproductive.

Senator Cruz: "It gave 2.3 billion that would go to sanctuary cities. It gave $1.4 billion that would go to nonprofit organizations that are providing shelter to illegal aliens and that are helping funnel this invasion."
[07:51]

C. Flawed Implementation Mechanisms

The mechanisms within the bill, such as the "5,000 illegal aliens a day" provision, were seen as inadequate and ineffective in addressing the border crisis.

Senator Cruz: "The way it was written is it said that if 5,000 illegal aliens a day are crossing the border... As a practical matter, if this passed, we would see 5,000 a day for all time, for all perpetuity."
[04:49]

3. Political Missteps within the Republican Leadership

A. Prioritizing Ukraine Funding Over Border Security

Senator Cruz critiques how the emphasis on funding Ukraine overshadowed and compromised the integrity of the border security measures.

Senator Cruz: "What Mitch McConnell cares about is Ukraine funding. He has said repeatedly it is the most important thing in the country to fund the war in Ukraine."
[22:04]

B. Internal Negotiations and Compromises

The negotiation process, led by figures like James Lankford, is highlighted as a significant factor in diluting the bill's effectiveness.

Senator Cruz: "James Lankford was essentially told, do whatever you can to get a deal from Schumer... when Schumer says no, you have to agree to what Schumer wants."
[19:33]

4. The Role of Senate Dynamics and Leadership

A. Exclusive Republican Lunches and Decision-Making

Senator Cruz provides an insider perspective on the Senate's Republican lunches, where critical decisions and debates about the bill took place.

Senator Cruz: "We had knockdown, drag out battles in the Senate Republican lunches over this issue."
[10:53]

B. Leadership's Influence on Policy Outcomes

The influence of Senate leaders like Mitch McConnell and Chuck Schumer is analyzed, showcasing how their priorities shaped the bill's fate.

Senator Cruz: "This was a Schumer McConnell bill. This was the two of them."
[19:56]

5. Future Strategies and Path Forward

A. Reintroducing HR2 for Effective Border Security

Senator Cruz advocates for reintroducing HR2, a more robust and effective border security bill, as a foundational strategy.

Senator Cruz: "Our strategy was simple... I am the lead senate author for HR2."
[19:22]

B. Leveraging Ukraine Funding as Negotiation Tool

He suggests using Ukraine funding as leverage to ensure the passage of comprehensive border security measures.

Senator Cruz: "If you want Ukraine funding, attach it to HR2 and you'll get your funding."
[35:15]

C. Addressing Future Legislative Challenges

The conversation touches on the anticipated political maneuvers, including Schumer's potential reintroduction of supplemental bills without substantive border security measures.

Senator Cruz: "Schumer is going to take up Ukraine, Israel, Taiwan... I'm going to oppose it because... we haven't secured our border."
[35:15]

6. Implications for Upcoming Elections

The episode underscores how the failure of the bill provides Democrats with a strategic advantage in framing Republicans as ineffective on border security, potentially influencing voter sentiment in upcoming elections.

Senator Cruz: "Every Democrat can now say... it's their fault we have this border crisis."
[18:17]

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• Senator Cruz on the Bill's Imminent Failure:
  "The bill is dead as a doorknob. It is going to fail."
  [00:44]

• On the Policy Flaws of the Bill:
  "This bill would put into law catch and release... It normalizes 5,000 illegal aliens a day."
  [02:52] & [04:49]

• Critique of Financial Allocations:
  "It gave 2.3 billion that would go to sanctuary cities... $1.4 billion to nonprofit organizations."
  [07:51]

• On Leadership Priorities:
  "Mitch McConnell cares about Ukraine funding... it's the most important thing in the country."
  [22:04]

• Strategy for Future Legislation:
  "If you want Ukraine funding, attach it to HR2 and you'll get your funding."
  [35:15]

Conclusion

The discussion between Ben Ferguson and Senator Ted Cruz provides a comprehensive analysis of the failed Border Disaster Bill, highlighting both its policy deficiencies and the strategic errors within Republican leadership that led to its downfall. Senator Cruz emphasizes the need for a more effective legislative approach, advocating for HR2 and strategic negotiation tactics to ensure robust border security. The episode serves as a crucial insight into the complexities of Senate politics and the ongoing challenges in addressing America's border security issues.

Final Thoughts:

As the episode concludes, Senator Cruz reiterates the urgency of securing the border as an existential national security threat and calls for concerted efforts to prioritize effective policies over political expediency. The insights shared offer listeners a transparent look into the legislative process and the critical factors influencing policy outcomes at the highest levels of government.

Note: Advertisements and promotional segments within the transcript have been excluded to focus solely on the substantive content discussed regarding the failed Border Disaster Bill.