On Friday, January 26, 2024, President Joe Biden pledged to shut down the Mexico-U.S. border “when it becomes overwhelmed.”
“Let’s be clear. What’s been negotiated would – if passed into law – be the toughest and fairest set of reforms to secure the border we’ve ever had in our country,” he stated.
“It would give me, as President, a new emergency authority to shut down the border when it becomes overwhelmed. And if given that authority, I would use it the day I sign the bill into law.”
The piece of proposed legislation reportedly includes reinforcement for southern border security and aid for Ukraine. If the proposed legislation moves forward as reported, U.S. Representative Mike Johnson said it would be “dead on arrival.”
“I wanted to provide a brief update regarding the supplemental and the border, since the Senate appears unable to reach any agreement,” Johnson said.
“If rumors about the contents of the draft proposal are true, it would have been dead on arrival in the House anyway.”
Johnson is not the only Republican to raise issue with the proposed legislation. House Majority Whip Tom Emmer also suggested that the President only cared about the issue of border security because it is a “political liability.”
“The only reason that President Biden is even interested in discussing this issue, Neil, is because it has now become a political liability for the White House,” Emmer told Fox News’ Neil Cavuto.
Former President Donald Trump also chimed in on the matter via Truth Social, urging Republicans not to side with Biden.
“I do not think we should do a Border Deal, at all, unless we get everything needed to shut down the invasion of Millions & Millions of people, many from parts unknown, into our once great, but soon to be great again,” he wrote.
As politicians battle through interviews, press statements and social media posts, United States Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Senior Official Troy A. Miller continues to push for “additional support from Congress.”
“CBP continues to use all available resources to ensure the safety and security of our agents and officers, and the migrants who are often misled and victimized by the transnational criminal organizations,” Miller said.
“But as we have repeatedly said, CBP and our federal partners need additional support from Congress so that we can continue to effectuate consequences for those who do not use established lawful pathways.”
