Scores of House Republicans are accusing President Biden and his administration of deliberately undermining border security, and urging the White House to fix the border crisis through executive action.
More than 60 House Republicans, led by Rep. Ashley Hinson of Iowa, wrote in a letter to Mr. Biden on Friday alleging his administration has “intentionally and systematically undermined” border security laws by refusing to enforce them.
“You can choose to direct your administration to vigorously enforce the laws on the books today, thereby stemming the tide of illegal immigration and protecting our communities,” the letter stated. “Or you can choose to perpetuate this national security and humanitarian crisis through your unequivocal failure of leadership for the American people.”
The Republicans’ request follows similar pushes by House Speaker Mike Johnson, Louisiana Republican, who has said Mr. Biden could swiftly solve the surge of illegal migrants with the stroke of a pen.
Ms. Hinson said in her letter that the “Biden effect” on the southern border has produced catastrophic outcomes to the tune of 6.7 million illegal migrant encounters and at least 1.7 million “gotaways,” along with an unbridled flow of deadly drugs such as fentanyl, pouring across the border.
“The deliberate combination of open border rhetoric and refusal to enforce immigration law exacerbated the border crisis, ceded operational control of our southern border to cartels and illegal immigrants, and invited the full-scale invasion we are currently experiencing,” she said.
The accusations come at a pivotal moment for a long-brewing Senate border deal that aims to tie more-stringent border security measures with Mr. Biden’s $110 billion funding request for Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan.
Mr. Biden says he needs new authorities to address the border crisis, while Republicans assert that Trump-era border policies could be revived and used without action from Congress.
House Republicans, led by Mr. Johnson, have scoffed at leaked details of the Senate deal, arguing that it would do little to quell the flow of migrants crossing the U.S.-Mexico border illegally.
Mr. Johnson and his conference have proclaimed the deal as good as dead in the House, before the details have been publicized. The failure to quickly produce legislative text has also caused Senate Republicans to waver in their support of the deal.
Sen. James Lankford, Oklahoma Republican the leading GOP negotiator, said rumors have plagued the legislation and stressed that lawmakers need to see how the new border authorities work before casting judgment.
Mr. Lankford’s work will be put to the test soon. Senate Majority Leader Charles E. Schumer, New York Democrat, has teed up a vote on the package next week. Text of the long-awaited legislation is expected to be released no later than Sunday.
• Alex Miller can be reached at amiller@washingtontimes.com.
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