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Grassley on DACA Negotiations: For Democrats, 'It's Their Way or the Highway'

January 8, 2018

Republican Sen. Chuck Grassley (Iowa) took to the Senate floor on Monday to rebuke Democrats' stance on negotiations over the recently ended Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program.

Grassley said at the beginning of his speech that the Senate is not any closer to a legitimate deal. He said the plan he introduced with GOP senators such as John Cornyn (Texas) and Tom Cotton (Ark.) would be fair as well as pro-American, and he said they are willing to negotiate.

"As I've continually said since the bill's introduction, this group of senators is ready and willing to negotiate with our counterparts in good faith," on DACA negotiations, Grassley said.

"Now, I said negotiate," Grassley added. "I had at least one Democratic senator infer that I could not negotiate in good faith because I didn't vote for the Gang of Eight immigration bill in 2013," Grassley said.

Grassley accused Democrats of engaging in a "game of brinksmanship" and said they won't negotiate because Republicans refuse to simply pass a so-called Dream Act without border security.

One prominent congressman, Rep. Joaquin Castro (D., Texas), drew a line on a border wall, saying that most Democrats will vote against a bill that includes funding for a border wall.

"As the Democrats see it, it's take it or leave it. It's their way or the highway," Grassley said. "This isn't good faith. This isn't negotiating. And that approach is doomed to failure."