Arizona Sen. John McCain blasted DHS officials at a Senate hearing Wednesday for circulating a memo with instructions to restrict members of Congress from taking photos and speaking to children and staff at overburdened border facilities.
The Republican senator was enraged by the rules, saying he was not allowed to speak to any staff members or children during a fact-finding trip to border facilities in his state.
“You’re telling me I can’t even speak to the staff there?” he asked incredulously.
Mr. McCain told Border Protection Commissioner Gil Kerlikowske that barring lawmakers from entering the facilities with cellphones or speaking with children and facility workers is preventing them from performing their state duties.
“I view that as a violation of my responsibilities,” Mr. McCain told Mr. Kerlikowske. “The people of Arizona elected me and I’m not supposed to even carry a cellphone with me? You have overstepped your responsibilities and your authority, sir, and I want those instructions revoked as far as members of Congress are concerned and I want it done today.”
• Kellan Howell can be reached at khowell@washingtontimes.com.
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