- The Washington Times - Saturday, January 20, 2024

Dozens of House Democrats are urging House Speaker Mike Johnson to advance a U.S./Mexico border solution that satisfies both parties.

Over 60 members of the New Democrat Coalition, one of the largest caucuses in the House, said in a letter to Mr. Johnson on Friday they were “dismayed” when he said this week he wouldn’t consider a bipartisan solution at the southern border.

“It is unfortunate that you and members of your conference have described the situation as a winning political issue, and suggested that you would wait to act on the border until a Republican president is elected,” the lawmakers wrote. “This is unacceptable. We respectfully urge you to put the American people and our nation’s security ahead of petty partisan politics.”

Rep. Johnson, Louisiana Republican, met with President Biden and the other congressional leaders earlier in the week to discuss the president’s emergency funding request for Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan amid negotiations regarding the illegal immigration flood.

The speaker rejected the president’s push to take concessions on border policy in exchange for billions in Ukraine aid. Mr. Johnson argued that House Republicans would accept only “meaningful” policy change in the deal.

The major point of contention in the spending package is that the GOP-led House has dug in to accept only a deal that includes the Secure the Border Act.

Specifically, House Republicans want to see former President Donald Trump’s Remain in Mexico line, an end to catch and release, and dramatic change in Mr. Biden’s asylum policy to help plug the flow of illegal migrants.  

In its letter, the House Democrat contingent pressed the speaker to quell the flow of fentanyl and reform the country’s immigration system, the latter of which many conservatives call amnesty.

“I don’t think now is the time for comprehensive immigration reform because we know how complicated that is. You can’t do that quickly,” Mr. Johnson said. “I do think it’s past time to secure the border, and that’s what [the Secure the Border Act] reflects.”

Mr. Johnson also faces calls for his ouster, led by Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, Georgia Republican, should he back down and relent to Democrats’ demands.

Meanwhile, Republicans in the Democrat-led Senate say their policy wish list won’t stand a chance in the upper chamber. 

• Alex Miller can be reached at amiller@washingtontimes.com.

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