ARIZONA NEWS

Sen. Kyrsten Sinema hopes bipartisan immigration bill gets new life beyond her tenure

Sep 11, 2024, 11:53 AM

Sen. Kyrsten Sinema of Arizona, shown speaking to reporters in February 2024, hopes her bipartisan ...

Sen. Kyrsten Sinema of Arizona, shown speaking to reporters in February 2024, hopes her bipartisan immigration bill gets new life after she leaves office. (Photo by Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images)

(Photo by Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images)

PHOENIX – U.S. Sen. Kyrsten Sinema of Arizona said Wednesday she hopes the spirit of her failed bipartisan immigration bill lives on beyond her time in office.

“I’m glad to hear that it’s still part of the debate and hope that future Congresses take up those ideas,” Sinema told KTAR News 92.3 FM’s The Mike Broomhead Show.

Sinema, who was a Democrat when elected to the Senate in 2018 but became an independent in December 2022, didn’t seek reelection this year. Her only term as a U.S. senator will end when the winner of 2024 race between Democrat Ruben Gallego and Republican Kari Lake gets sworn in early next year.

Sinema said she was proud of the work she did with Democratic Sen. Chris Murphy of Connecticut and Republican Sen. James Lankford of Oklahoma on a bipartisan immigration bill that was endorsed by the National Border Patrol Council.

What was in bipartisan immigration bill?

The legislation would have tightened the asylum system, closed down the U.S.-Mexico border during times of high traffic and beefed up southern border enforcement staffing.

“It was really disappointing that the bill didn’t move forward because it represented the most conservative, actually, border control measures offered in the United States Congress in over three decades,” Sinema said.

Republicans kept the legislation from advancing after former President Donald Trump came out against it. Democrats, including Sen. Mark Kelly of Arizona, have accused Trump of killing the bipartisan immigration bill to keep the border issue alive as he seeks to regain the presidency.

“I really hope that whoever comes in behind me in the United States Senate is willing to do that hard work of bipartisanship and actually try and solve the problems,” Sinema said.

What will Kyrsten Sinema do with campaign funds?

With less than four months left in office, Sinema wouldn’t reveal her plans for the millions of dollars her campaign still has on hand during Wednesday’s interview.

She had a war chest of more than $5.6 million at the end of June, according to Federal Election Commission campaign finance reports.

“In the coming months, I’ll be talking more with Arizonans about some of the things I want to do to help move our state forward, and so folks can just stay tuned for that,” she said when asked about the campaign funds.

We want to hear from you.

Have a story idea or tip? Pass it along to the KTAR News team here.

Comments

Comment guidelines: No name-calling, personal attacks, profanity, or insults. Please keep the conversation civil and help us moderate comments by reporting abuse.
comments powered by Disqus

Arizona News

Integrated Biometrics Chandler Arizona 2025...

Serena O'Sullivan

Integrated Biometrics expanding its Chandler research facility

Companies curious about incorporating biometrics into their workflows can now visit a Chandler research facility to test new technologies through interactive exhibits.

2 hours ago

arizona state parks and trails...

Lance Hartzler

Arizona State Parks and Trails fees to increase at more than 30 locations

Arizona State Parks and Trails is increasing fees on entrances, camping and tour tickets for 33 locations to support park operations.

2 hours ago

fentanyl pills, fentanyl bust Phoenix...

KTAR.com

Weekend Wrap: Here are the biggest Phoenix news stories from Feb. 7-9

Here are some of the top Valley news stories from Feb. 7-9, including a Phoenix man being pulled over with more than 100,000 fentanyl pills.

14 hours ago

Economists foresee labor shortages in construction and agriculture as a result of President Donald ...

Matthew DeWees and Katrina Michalak/Cronkite News

Donald Trump’s mass deportations could mean higher costs and labor shortages in Arizona

Deportations ordered by President Trump could hit Arizona’s agriculture and construction sectors hard, pushing up prices for shoppers.

18 hours ago

Immigration Arizona criminal charges 565 people USAO...

Payne Moses

More than 500 charged with immigration-related crime in Arizona over recent 2-week period

From Jan. 21-Feb. 3, a total of 565 people were charged with illegal immigration activity by the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Arizona.

20 hours ago

Two Valley freeway ramps will be closed for the next two months....

Kevin Stone

2 Valley on-ramps closing for 2 months as part of freeway improvement projects

A couple of metro Phoenix freeway ramps are closing for the next two months as part of ongoing improvement projects.

1 day ago

Sponsored Articles

...

The UPS Store

How The UPS Store is giving back to the community

PHOENIX -- As 2024 nears a close, The UPS Store is looking to give back to the Arizona community with the holiday season approaching.

...

Schwartz Laser Eye Center

Don’t miss the action with this game-changing procedure

PHOENIX -- The clear lens exchange procedure has emerged as a popular alternative to LASIK eye surgery.

...

Day & Night Air Conditioning, Heating and Plumbing

Why a Heating Tune-Up is Essential Before Winter

PHOENIX, AZ — With cooler weather on the horizon, making sure your heating system is prepped and ready can make all the difference in staying comfortable this winter.

Sen. Kyrsten Sinema hopes bipartisan immigration bill gets new life beyond her tenure