Immigration bill could be killed by Trump loyalists

WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR) – Sen. Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) says a bill to reform immigration and secure the Southern border is almost ready.

"We're finishing the text right now," Murphy said.

The bipartisan border deal has been weeks in the making.  Murphy said he hopes conservative Republicans won't kill the bill.

"The question is whether Republicans are going to listen to Donald Trump who wants to preserve chaos at the border," he said.

The bill would provide for new presidential powers to close the border whenever unlawful crossings exceed certain levels.  It would also speed up asylum case resolution and expedite work permits.   Former President Donald Trump has asked his allies to vote no.

"I'd rather have no bill than a bad bill," Trump said.

Sen. James Lankford (R-Okla.) said he hopes his fellow Republicans will ignore Trump and follow through on the deal.

"Now it's interesting a few months later when we'll finally get to the end. They're like, oh just kidding. I actually don't want to change the law because of the presidential election year," Lankford said.

Even if the Senate passes the bill, it's in for a tough time in the House.

"President Biden has been sitting on his own hands for months on end," Rep. Virginia Foxx (R-N.C.) said.

"He should start today by enforcing our border security laws, but sadly he won't," added Rep. Nick LaLota (R-N.Y.).

The White House says it's on Congress to get a deal to the President's desk.