Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell has faced intense criticism from conservatives over the bipartisan border deal he helped negotiate.

Among those speaking up is Texas Republican Sen. Ted Cruz, who said this week it is time for McConnell to face removal.  

Cruz says Senate minority leader "should advance the priorities of Republicans"

According to The Hill, Cruz expressed that sentiment when asked at a press conference on Monday whether it is time for McConnell "to go," saying, "I think it is."

"Everyone here also supported to the leadership challenge to Mitch McConnell in November [of 2022,]," Cruz said of the other Republican lawmakers present.

They consisted of Florida Sen. Rick Scott, Utah Sen. Mike Lee, Wisconsin Sen. Ron Johnson, Ohio Sen. J.D. Vance, Kansas Sen. Roger Marshall, and Missouri Sen. Eric Schmitt.

Cruz went on to add, "I think a Republican leader should actually lead this conference and should advance the priorities of Republicans."

Lee: "We need new leadership--now"

Cruz is not alone in raising his voice on the issue, as Sen. Lee did so as well in a post on X, the social media platform previously known as Twitter.

"I cannot understand how any Republican would think this was a good idea—or anything other than an unmitigated disaster," Lee declared, adding, "WE NEED NEW LEADERSHIP — NOW."

Lee also complained in a follow-up post that "Senate GOP leadership screwed this up—and screwed us" and called slammed the bill as "a disqualifying betrayal."

Senate GOP leadership screwed this up—and screwed us. Even while refusing to let us see the bill they claimed to be negotiating on our behalf—for MONTHS—they were never in doubt, insisting we’d be dumb and even unpatriotic NOT to support it. This is a disqualifying betrayal. https://t.co/PZnI6KorFK

— Mike Lee (@BasedMikeLee) February 5, 2024

Meanwhile, Sen. Vance wrote, "'The border never closes' is a good summary of this bill, and of Joe Biden's policy. I can understand why Chris Murphy supports it. I cannot imagine why any Republican supports this atrocious proposal."

Bill provides $1.4 billion to non-profits for migrant resettlement

Fox News reported that opponents of the bill have put forward a number of grievances, including a provision that allows the president to suspend its provisions for a 45-day period when he believes it is in the "national interest."

Another complaint is that it provides taxpayer-funded legal representation for migrants along with $1.4 billion for non-profit groups to resettle migrants.

Further, some Republicans allege that the legislation appears to be more focused on securing Ukraine's borders than it does those of the United States.