Speaker Mike Johnson (R-Louis.) and House Republicans on Wednesday used the border visit to signal a more aggressive approach to border and immigration policy, with these issues likely to predominate in January. It set the tone for the parliamentary agenda.
Republicans poured cold water on slow Senate negotiations over changes to immigration policy and fueled upcoming impeachment efforts against Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas. Meanwhile, some House Republicans have teased forcing a government shutdown if border demands are not met.
While the Republican focus on border issues is early in the election year, encounters with migrants are at their highest level, as was demonstrated at a House Republican press conference attended by about 60 members near the border in Eagle Pass, Texas. This is also due to the fact that it remains at the same level. , on wednesday. C-SPAN camera captured As Republicans gathered to address the press, a small group headed from Mexico across the Rio Grande toward the United States.
Johnson has argued that the Senate, which is in the midst of border policy negotiations as a condition of approving more aid to war-torn Ukraine, should take up a border bill passed by House Republicans that Democrats rejected as a failure. pursued. The HR 2 Border Security Act would partially limit asylum protection.
“HR 2 is a necessary piece. Why? Because there are provisions that address each of these issues, and they work together,” Johnson said at a press conference. “We can't, for example, just reform our broken asylum process and leave this parole system broken. That would be a huge loophole that won't solve the problem.”
The Biden administration is expanding its use of parole powers to allow temporary entry for people who may not meet immigration requirements, but asylum law allows those who pass an initial screening to move forward with their claims. required to be allowed to enter the United States.
One of the top demands of Republican senators negotiating with the White House on immigration restrictions is narrowing asylum laws.
Johnson's position on HR2 puts him at odds with the Senate. Earlier Wednesday, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer of New York suggested that a hard line would sink any border deal.
“The only way we're going to get these things done is if we do it in a bipartisan way. If the House sticks to HR2 as the only solution…we're not going to get a deal,” Schumer said. Ta.
“It's all very well to go to the border, but the way to get anything done is to work like we are in the Senate on bipartisan solutions to the border crisis,” Schumer said. “If we want to resolve the border issue, I hope the Speaker understands that.”
In an interview with CNN after the press conference, when asked if he would be open to any compromises from the Senate, Prime Minister Johnson said, “I'm not going to answer what-ifs,” and said he would be willing to give President Biden a shot at stopping the influx of migrants. He once again called for administrative measures to be taken. It's on the border. (The White House said the president had “done everything he could” without Congressional action.)
Additional funding for Ukraine isn't the only thing that could be swayed by House Republicans' hardline stance on the border. With government funding deadlines approaching on January 19 and February 2, some insurgent Republicans are threatening to force a border closure.
“Until we get this border under control, we don't need any more money in his government's bureaucracy. Close the border or close the government.” Rep. Andy Biggs (R-Ariz.) Said FOX News from Eagle Pass on Wednesday.
However, when asked about the possibility of closures, Prime Minister Boris Johnson declined to elaborate.
“We have been working seriously and in good faith with the Senate and the White House to reach an agreement almost every day over the holidays…and let me tell you what our top two priorities are right now. “In summary, we want to close our borders first and make them safe. And we want to make sure that we reduce non-defense discretionary spending,” Johnson said.
But the biggest movement focused on border issues in the House this month may be more about impeachment than legislation. Republicans have vowed to proceed with impeachment proceedings against Mayorkas, starting with a hearing next week.
“Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas is the greatest domestic threat to national security and the safety of the American people,” House Homeland Security Committee Chairman Mark Green (R-Tenn.) said at a press conference.
Greene plans to hold several hearings to review Mayorkas' record before introducing an impeachment resolution to remove him from office. This will be the first time since the late 1800s that Congress will seriously consider removing a cabinet minister.
A Department of Homeland Security spokesperson said House Republicans were “wasting precious time and taxpayer money pursuing baseless political campaigns,” adding, “There is no legitimate basis to impeach Secretary Mayorkas. ” he said.
Greene did not elaborate, but accused Mayorkas of violating court orders and subverting immigration laws.
Republican lawmakers have also accused Mayorkas of lying to Congress, an accusation largely based on disagreements over lawmakers questioning him about whether the border is secure.
Some Republicans, like Greene, have argued that Mayorkas is negligent in his border control duties, but that's either an impeachable offense or a legal term other than military use. It is not clear whether
Republicans also argued that Mr. Mayorkas violated the law and did not meet the standards of the Secure Fence Act, which defines border operations as a state in which not a single person or contraband is allowed to enter the country illegally.
In an appearance on MSNBC on Tuesday, Mayorkas said he would cooperate with the impeachment effort, but stressed that he remains focused on his job, including negotiations in the Senate.
“I joined a bipartisan group of senators to work on a legislative solution to our dysfunctional immigration system. I spoke to the Hill yesterday to provide technical advice in ongoing negotiations. “Before I headed to the Hill, I was in my office working on a solution. After visiting the Hill, I went back to the office and working on a solution,” Mayorkas said.
Al Weaver contributed.
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