A Republican senator who appeared on CNN to criticize Democrats for "playing politics" over proposed legislation found himself instead fielding tough questions about former President Donald Trump's efforts to sink his bill.
Sen. James Lankford (R-OK) faced off against anchor Kaitlan Collins Tuesday night when the pair debated who exactly was to blame for his failed border control policy package that died in February and is predicted to die again next week.
"It's no longer a bill, now it's a prop," he told Collins. "Everyone knows this bill is not going to pass."
The bill, touted as a middle ground moment for both parties finding rare consensus, ultimately died after Trump demanded it.
Now, Senate Democrats' attempt to bring a vote back on Thursday in hopes that a border security package akin to the one Republicans rejected last year could eke out a pass.
Republicans have already suggested that, like Lankford, they are going to vote against it. Lankford cast blame across the aisle.
"[Sen. Chuck] Schumer is bringing it up to bludgeon people with it," Lankford said. "Let's actually sit down like grownups...we're not getting it solved."
Collins called Lankford out for claiming Democrats were "playing politics" and pointed right to Trump's moves to kill the bill.
"That's exactly what your Republican colleagues did when they walked away from the bill you put so much effort into two months ago," Collins replied. "Republicans also played politics with this bill when Democrats were willing to vote for it."
Lankford dodged the question by returning to his rhetoric about potentially dangerous people entering into the country and holding the White House to blame.
Collins wasn't having it.
"But do you also hold Donald Trump accountable since he prolonged the crisis that's happening?"
"I don't know if he prolonged the crisis—" Lankford began to say, but Collins interjected.
"He sunk [sic] your bill," Collins reminded him.
Lankford praised Trump for his immigration policies as president, but then he made a concession: "You're right, [former] President Trump was one of the folks who said let's get everything."
"Respectfully, Senator," Collins replied, "he said your bill was ludicrous."
