Wunderry Plus subscribers can listen to USA Today's the excerpt ad free right now.

Join Wunderry Plus in the Wundery app.

Good morning, I'm Taylor Wilson and today is Tuesday, December 19th, 2023. This is the

excerpt. Today we look at a controversial Texas border bill, plus the latest on the US

stance relating to the Israel Hamas war and Pope Francis approves blessings

for same-sex couples.

Texas Governor Greg Abbott signed a controversial bill yesterday that allows Texas law enforcement to arrest migrants,

but it likely faces legal battles in court.

I spoke with USA Today, National Reporter Lauren Viegron for more.

Lauren, thanks for hopping back on the excerpt.

Hey Taylor. So Lauren, let's hopping back on the excerpt. Hey, Taylor.

So Lauren, let's just start here.

What is this Senate Bill 4 or SB 4?

SB 4 is legislation that was both a Senate bill and there was also a House version here in Texas.

I'm located in El Paso, Texas.

And SB 4 was a bill that Texas Governor Greg Abbott has been pushing for some time wanting

additional controls over the Texas-Mexico border and Senate Bill 4 basically

authorizes the state,

including state and local law enforcement,

to enforce immigration law.

What does supporters say about this

and what a critics and immigration advocate say, Lauren?

...