Congressional Republicans, led by U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson, refuse to approve the White House's $14 billion request for border security, insisting they "change the policy."
"If President Biden wants a supplemental spending bill focused on national security, it better begin by defending America's national security," stated Johnson during the press conference at the border in Eagle Pass, Texas.
This border security standoff occurs amid ongoing negotiations in the Senate tied to Biden's emergency global security supplemental request, a $106 billion allocation for global security spanning Ukraine, Israel, Taiwan, and U.S. border security.
As Congress races against the Jan. 19 and Feb. 2 funding deadlines, the potential for government shutdowns adds urgency to these deliberations.
Suffolk County Congressman Nick LaLota, a House Homeland Security Committee member, shared insights from his third trip to the U.S.-Mexico border as part of the Republican delegation. LaLota highlighted the consequences of unchecked illegal crossings, calling for the reinstatement of the Remain in Mexico policy, the passage of the Secure the Border Act, and an end to sanctuary policies in blue cities.
| Speaker Mike johnson and Republicans at the border File Photo |
Despite the urgency surrounding border security, White House spokesperson Andrew Bates criticized Johnson and Republicans for prioritizing border visits over endorsing the administration's proposed emergency supplemental request, which earmarked approximately $14 billion for U.S. border security.
Bates contended that Johnson's actions impeded funding crucial for hiring thousands of new Border Patrol agents, asylum officers, and immigration judges. He also asserted that such actions hinder investments in cutting-edge technology vital for combating drug trafficking.
In his defense, Johnson emphasized the significance of H.R. 2, passed by the House in May. H.R. 2 aligns with conservative immigration policies, echoing Trump-era strategies such as resuming border wall construction, cutting funding for nonprofits aiding migrants, and bolstering Border Patrol staffing.
However, Senate Democrats have opposed H.R. 2, categorizing it as a non-starter. Republicans remain steadfast in their push to curtail the Biden administration's use of parole, restricting temporary work permits for nationals from Haiti, Cuba, Nicaragua, and Venezuela.
Johnson also criticized the Biden administration's rollback of immigration policies instituted during the Trump era, including halting border wall construction and terminating the "remain in Mexico" policy.
As the standoff between Republicans and Democrats over border security funding continues, it complicates ongoing budget negotiations on Capitol Hill. With the specter of government shutdowns looming, the deadline-driven tension heightens as lawmakers grapple with the intricacies of this divisive issue.