Trump questions the 'purpose' of House immigration bills only hours before critical votes

President Donald Trump downplayed the importance of House Republican immigration bills Thursday only hours before the chamber plans to vote on them.

The president's message likely will not help GOP leaders, who have sought Trump's help in urging wavering members to back the legislation. On Tuesday night, Trump told the House Republican caucus that he supports the measures, which broadly meet his border security goals. He even told lawmakers that he "1,000 percent" backs their effort to pass a bill.

In a tweet Thursday morning, the president questioned why House passage of the GOP bills matters, because they will almost certainly fail in the Senate. Republicans, who hold 51 seats in that chamber, need the support of nine Democrats to reach the 60-vote threshold to pass most legislation.