House Republicans will wait until next month to take up a narrow bill addressing the separation of illegal immigrant children from adult family members at the southern border.
A top GOP aide said it is “not likely” the House will vote on the bill by tomorrow, the last day the chamber is in session before departing for the July 4 recess.
The decision comes after a federal court ordered children taken away from parents who crossed into the country illegally be reunited with them 30 days.
The Trump administration had been holding adults in detention centers in order to end the “catch and release” practice that has led to thousands of illegal immigrants remaining in the country.
The court decision is a reprieve for GOP leaders, who will consult with fellow Republicans and more importantly, the White House, to craft a measure that can make it into law.
Lawmakers had planned to take up the narrow measure after defeating a broader immigration reform bill that also included language addressing the border problem.
The GOP language will make it legal to hold children at the border with parents and other adult family members. It would address a court ruling prohibiting children from remaining in border detention centers for longer than 20 days.
The Senate weighing its own legislation. Republicans have crafted a bill similar to the House proposal while a gang of four bipartisan lawmakers are working on a different proposal that can win both Republican and Democratic votes.
Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., said Tuesday he would only consider a vote this week if there is Democratic support, which is needed to stop a filibuster in the Senate.
