McALLEN, Texas — Senate Republican leaders are kicking off an unofficial road tour Friday to sell voters on their signature legislative win — and play catch-up amid a relentless Democratic messaging effort.
And where else to begin than at the U.S.-Mexico border, a frequent stop for Republicans in recent years amid the chaos of illegal border crossings that have since plummeted to record lows under President Donald Trump’s immigration crackdown.
But while border security was a key element of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, it’s the economic components that have been the most challenging to tout while affordability remains the top political issue nationally.
In an interview, Senate Majority Leader John Thune acknowledged that not only have Democrats “been really good out there” counter-messaging the OBBB, but they’ve been doing so in a vacuum. Republicans are battling against “historical inertia,” Thune said, referencing the fact the party in power tends to lose seats in a midterm year.
“As you get into campaigns and resources are applied to help deliver [our] message, I think it’s going to be a pretty powerful and compelling narrative,” Thune said of the OBBB.
Yet what Republicans see as the positive impacts of the bill, such as the tax and energy policy provisions, have yet to be felt. Democrats have emphasized the high cost of living, combined with the OBBB’s Medicaid cuts, the expiration of the Obamacare enhanced premium tax credits and Trump’s tariff regime.
Republicans on the ballot this year are being careful about how they’re talking about the state of the U.S. economy.
“We have seen significant movement… but we’re not ready to hang out a ‘Mission Accomplished’ sign by any stretch of the imagination,” Michael Whatley, the North Carolina GOP Senate candidate, said in an interview.
On the ground. Friday’s border visit is being hosted by One Nation, the non-profit aligned with Thune.
In addition to Thune, the events will feature GOP leaders and Republicans in competitive Senate races. Senate Majority Whip John Barrasso will attend, along with Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas), who’s lagging in a three-way primary.
GOP Sens. Jon Husted (Ohio), Mike Rounds (S.D.), Ashley Moody (Fla.) and Pete Ricketts (Neb.), all of whom are on the ballot this year, will be here as well. That’s in addition to Whatley and Mike Rogers, the GOP candidate in Michigan.
