Senate Budget Committee Hearing Sparks Controversy
A tense moment unfolded during the Senate Budget Committee hearing on Tuesday when Senator Bernie Moreno questioned a former advisor to President Biden about the legality of illegal immigration into the United States.
Moreno directed his inquiries to Brendan Duke, who served as a senior policy advisor to Biden and is now the senior director of federal budget policy at the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities.
When Moreno asked if the 1952 Immigration and Naturalization Act—which outlawed illegal entry—was a mistake, Duke responded, “I don’t know anything about this law,” as reported by Fox News.
Moreno pressed on, asking again, “Do you think illegal entry is a crime?” Duke reiterated his focus on budget matters, stating, “I don’t know anything about this.”
Moreno then clarified, “Look, I’m not a lawyer. But it’s a straightforward question: Should it be a crime? Is it a crime to enter the United States illegally?”
Despite Moreno’s persistence, Duke maintained that he wasn’t aware of the specific law, though he did confirm that he rents a home. When Moreno inquired if it would be a crime for someone to enter his home without permission, Duke replied affirmatively.
Moreno pointed out the contradiction, saying Duke seemed sure about his home but unsure about broader national implications of the law.
“So this is the best idea Democrats can come up with?” Moreno remarked, questioning the choice of a witness who seemingly struggles with understanding immigration law. He expressed concern over why the hearing featured Duke, pointing out that out of millions, they chose someone who couldn’t differentiate between unauthorized entry into the country and elsewhere.
Senator Jeff Merkley, the committee’s ranking member, attempted to intervene, but Moreno insisted on finishing his point.
“The best one is a guy who has no idea what our immigration laws are,” Moreno continued, referring to Duke and contrasting him with a previous witness whom he felt hadn’t engaged adequately.
Merkley accused Moreno of “abusing” the witness, urging him to focus on facts. Moreno responded, somewhat sarcastically, about taking turns in questioning.
The interaction grew heated but was ultimately moderated by the committee chairman, Senator Lindsey Graham from South Carolina, allowing the session to proceed.
Later, Moreno reflected on the exchange in a post, stating, “I have a simple question: Is illegal entry a crime? You’d think it would be straightforward.” He expressed frustration over Duke’s lack of clarity on the issue, attributing the ongoing border crisis to decisions made during Biden’s administration and suggesting that previous approaches under Trump had been more effective.
