Thread by @sahilkapur

McConnell filed cloture tonight for four immigration amendments, setting up votes in this order:

• McCain-Coons (DACA+border)
• Toomey (sanctuary cities)
• Rounds-King (DACA+security/wall)
• Grassley (Trump’s four pillars)

A few observations:

1. Democrats’ amendments are both bipartisan. Republicans’ amendments are both partisan.

2. Toomey’s sanctuary city cutoff is pure election-year politics to trap Dems. Not even Trump is asking for this with DACA.

3. None of the four appear to have 60 votes.

4. Trump’s plan will be voted on last, which gives McConnell the option to make a “if you really want to fix DACA this is your final chance” pitch. Sets up the blame game between now and November.

Here’s the text of the Rounds-King-Collins-Manchin bill, which is basically a DACA fix (in which they cannot sponsor their parents) + $25 billion for border security. 👇

collins.senate.gov/sites/default/…

And the sponsors:

Pat Toomey is the rare senator who’ll pointedly attack a major region he represents on the Senate floor and target it with legislation. phillyvoice.com/toomey-targets…

DHS trashes both bipartisan immigration plans up for a vote in the Senate today:

dhs.gov/news/2018/02/1…

dhs.gov/news/2018/02/1…

...and praises the partisan Grassley/Trump plan:

dhs.gov/news/2018/02/1…

Scorching @LindseyGrahamSC response to DHS: "Instead of offering thoughts and advice – or even constructive criticism – they are acting more like a political organization intent on poisoning the well."