Senate readies for immigration showdown

WASHINGTON—A group of seven Republican senators on Sunday released details of an immigration bill that mirrors the Trump administration’s wish list, teeing up a showdown in Congress. Lawmakers cleared the way last week for an open immigration debate on border security and the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., promised Democrats he would structure the process in a way that’s fair to both sides, but House Republicans appear less likely to compromise. A group of GOP senators, led by Sen. Chuck Grassley of Iowa, anticipated that snag and drafted a bill to give the White House exactly what it wants. “Our proposal is supported by the president, who’s come a long way to reach a compromise,” Grassley said in a statement. “This is the only Senate proposal that has any chance of passing the House and being signed into law.” The legislation creates a pathway to citizenship for 1.8 million immigrants in exchange for a $25 billion investment in border security and a substantial cut to legal immigration. The bill could be one of several considered on the Senate floor this week. McConnell plans to call up a skeleton bill and allow senators to offer amendments, where they’ll compete to get the 60 votes needed for passage.