Axios Event: Jim Banks expects Senate GOP to approve Trump's immigration plan

WASHINGTON – Sen.-elect Jim Banks (R-Ind.) says the financial cost of President-elect Trump's immigration plan, which includes mass deportations, will be "well worth it."

Why it matters: Congress will likely have to fund a large portion of the incoming Trump administration's plan with taxpayer dollars. While there's no official price tag yet, Trump's pick for border czar, Tom Homan, estimates it could cost at least $86 billion.

Axios' Stef Kight, Hans Nichols, and Sophia Cai moderated conversations with Banks, Sen.-elect Bernie Moreno (R-Ohio), and Rep. Pramila Jayapal (D-Wash.). The Dec. 12 event was sponsored by Bank of America.

What they're saying: "Republicans in the Senate are going to do this time what they didn't do last time, and that's fund the building of the wall," Banks said.

Moreno expressed his support for Trump's proposed tariff on bordering neighbors saying the "threat" of tariffs "shouldn't have even had to happen if Canada and Mexico were doing the right thing."

• "They have to help us secure our border, stop illegal immigration, and stop drug trafficking," Moreno said.

Meanwhile, Jayapal reflected on the Democrats' losses in November, and said the party is "tired" of the "seven state strategy" with its focus on swing states.

• "In doing that, not only do we not gain more people from the right, but we are losing our base," Jayapal said. She emphasized the need to appeal more to moderates, progressives and working-class voters.