Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., on Sunday warned Republicans pushing tax cuts that national security will 'be a nightmare' if immediate action is not taken on a reconciliation bill that addresses President-elect Donald Trump's priorities, including border security.
"I'm very worried that if we don't put border first and get it done, it's going to be a nightmare for our national security," Graham said during an interview with Fox News' "Sunday Morning Futures with Maria Bartiromo."
"We've got millions of illegal immigrants that President Trump has promised to deport, and he should."
Graham emphasized the high cost of such deportations, estimated at $100 billion, and expressed skepticism about bipartisan support for funding the effort.
"I'm willing to offset the $100 billion with cuts in other places, but there's no way in hell Democrats are going to give us $100 billion for mass deportation," he said.
The senator linked border security delays to ongoing crises, citing the rise of fentanyl-related deaths and the threat of terrorism.
"Every day we delay is a dangerous day for America."
Graham also addressed the urgency of preserving the 2017 tax cuts, which he noted are set to expire at the end of the year.
"They're $4.7 trillion. They will ruin the economy if they expire. I will try to be a team player here. But I want to tell the American people, from my point of view, the No. 1 job is to secure the nation for the federal government," he said.
"To the tax cut wing of the party, I am with you," he said. "But if you hold border security hostage to get tax cuts, you're playing Russian roulette with our national security."
Nick Koutsobinas ✉
Nick Koutsobinas, a Newsmax writer, has years of news reporting experience. A graduate from Missouri State University’s philosophy program, he focuses on exposing corruption and censorship.
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