Congress Is Putting A Lot Of Effort Into Doing Nothing About The Border Crisis

That law, which applies to unaccompanied minors from countries outside Mexico and Canada, requires those minors to be detained by the Department of Health and Human Services and given asylum hearings (rather than deported).

The White House originally wanted changes to the 2008 anti-trafficking law so it would be easier to deport the undocumented immigrants, and Republicans have backed changes to that law. Congressional Democrats have opposed sharply, because, they argue, many of the children should be considered refugees fleeing violence.

And some other stuff, like $225 million to send to Israel to support the Iron Dome missile-defense system.

The White House had, of course, threatened to veto this. As part of this proposal, conservatives were also able to a secure a vote on stopping any future expansion of the Obama administration program that gave undocumented immigrants brought here as children legal status. Many conservatives believe that program has played a role in the current border crisis.

Even with the promises and concessions, Republicans didn't have the votes.

But now vulnerable Democrats in red states will likely have a lot more cover to vote no.

Lawmakers reportedly did not want to leave without voting on something regarding the border.