'Get this over with': GOP senators get 'heated' as disagreements mount over new bill

Senate Republicans have shot down the bipartisan border security bill after days of walkbacks and rejection prompted by former President Donald Trump's opposition to the deal. But that may not be the end of the story.

According to Punchbowl News' Andrew Desiderio, there is a growing sense in the GOP caucus that they will have to pass the bill in order to get aid to Israel and Ukraine passed, and there is no other option.

Per Desiderio, National Republican Senatorial Committee chair Steve Daines (R-MT), one of the first members of Congress to travel to Ukraine to witness the effects of Russia's invasion, "told Republican senators that passing the foreign aid portion without a border component would kneecap GOP candidates in key races who have been calling for no foreign aid w/o border, per two attendees." In response, Sens. Mitt Romney (R-UT) and Ted Cruz (R-TX) "got heated" over the matter.

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"I’m told that Sen. Thune, the GOP whip, told Republicans that the vote on this package is going to happen at some point, so 'we need to stop being pu-sies & just vote,'" Desiderio continued, saying that according to those privy to the discussions, "point was made that R's should just get this over with because it's not going away."

The border bill is far more conservative than prior failed bipartisan immigration deals that Democrats participated in, in that it doesn't do anything to protect "Dreamers," or young immigrants brought to the country as children. Under the agreement, the border would be automatically closed to migrants once encounters reach a certain level, new conditions would be added to asylum, and hearings and removal would be expedited. In return, visa caps would be lifted, unaccompanied migrant children would receive legal aid, and migrants who pass initial asylum screenings will more easily be able to get work permits.

Former President Donald Trump has been whipping Republican members against the bill even before the text was released, fearful that President Joe Biden signing a deal to reform border policy would strip him of his main campaign issue.