Rep. Mike Lawler (RN.Y.) slammed the White House's criticism of the Republican response to the border situation, calling the remarks a “joke” and “condescending” to the White House. is.
White House press secretary Andrew Bates on Wednesday accused Republicans of exacerbating the crisis at the southern border ahead of a visit to the southern border by a group of House Republicans led by Speaker Mike Johnson (R-Louisiana). .
Asked about Bates' comments during an appearance on “The Hill on NewsNation,” Lawler said, “It's a joke. Frankly, it would be unthinkable for the White House to make a statement like that. ” he said.
“The reality is this: House Republicans are the only ones who have taken any action on border security this year,” Lawler continued. “Seven months ago, we passed HR2, the strongest border security measure in Congressional history.”
Lawler was referring to the Secure Borders Act passed by House Republicans in May. The bill includes restrictions on refugee protection, provisions for restarting border wall construction, and expanded refugee status.
“So the failure this time is on the administration's part. Its policies have made the crisis worse,” Lawlor said, later adding. “This is a crisis of their own making. And it's a dereliction of duty on their part. [President] joe biden [Homeland Security] secretary [Alejandro] Mayorkas, frankly. [Sen.] Chuck Schumer [D-N.Y.]as majority leader. ”
Earlier Wednesday, Bates said on behalf of the White House that the conference had “No Border Security” after House Republicans blocked Biden's border proposal and voted against funding border security. He accused House Republicans of having a “track record of doing so.” He pointed to Biden's requests for additional funding, including a new border security fund and funding for Ukraine, Israel and the Indo-Pacific region, as well as the lack of Republican support for the president's plan to modernize the immigration system.
Lawler was among a delegation of about 60 Republicans who traveled to the southern border near Eagle Pass, Texas, on Wednesday to address concerns about the influx of migrants at the border.
Lawler said lawmakers witnessed migrants crossing the border and spoke with Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officials about the number of people behind the border crossing.
Senators and the White House have been negotiating for weeks over an agreement to change border security that would also allow funding to go to Ukraine.
“So this is a real crisis that needs to be addressed, and the administration needs to take it seriously, and the denials need to be met with good faith,” Lawler said, adding that Senate negotiations are “at best a real crisis.” It looks half-hearted and tasteless,” he added. ”
The White House did not immediately respond to The Hill's request for comment.
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