House GOP weighs new border bill to break logjam

By DONNA CASSATA and ERICA WERNER, Associated Press

Aug 1, 2014 8:37 AM CDT

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Rep. Steve Scalise, R-La., the new House GOP whip, leaves a closed-door Republican strategy session on the immigration crisis at the U.S.-Mexico border after last-minute maneuvering failed to lock down conservative support for a planned vote, at the Capitol in Washington, Thursday, July 31, 2014. The... (Associated Press)

WASHINGTON (AP) — House Republicans are considering a new border security bill that would add more money for the National Guard as leaders frantically try to win over reluctant conservatives.

The GOP leadership is presenting the revised bill to rank-and-file lawmakers Friday morning. Leaders were forced to scrap a scheduled vote on Thursday. The House could vote before heading out for its five-week summer recess.

Entering the meeting, congressman Richard Hudson of North Carolina said lawmakers are optimistic about getting enough votes for the new measure.

The nearly $660 million bill would add $35 million for the National Guard.

Hudson says the leadership did not anticipate strong opposition to the border bill from outside groups and Republican Sen. Jeff Sessions of Alabama.