The White House accused Republicans on Wednesday of exacerbating the crisis at the U.S.-southern border as Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) is set to lead a delegation there amid an influx of migrants.
White House spokesperson Andrew Bates in a statement argued that Republicans have an “anti-border security record” because they obstructed President Biden’s proposals and voted against border security funding.
Bates noted that the GOP hasn’t supported Biden’s supplemental funding packing, which included financing for new border agents and was tied to additional aid for Ukraine, Israel and the Indo-pacific. And, he added, Republicans didn’t support the president’s plan to modernize the immigration system that he announced in January 2021.
“House Republicans have obstructed his reform proposal and consistently voted against his unprecedented border security funding year after year, hamstringing our border security in the name of extreme, partisan demands,” Bates said.
“Actions speak louder than words,” he continued. “House Republicans’ anti-border security record is defined by attempting to cut Customs and Border Protection personnel, opposing President Biden’s record-breaking border security funding, and refusing to take up the President’s supplemental funding request.”
The ongoing debate in Washington over how to handle the situation at the southern border comes as the flow of migrants at the border is rising. Johnson and dozens of other House Republicans are heading to the border this week to highlight their concerns over the situation
The White House and senators last month were in talks over the border, which key senators resumed on Wednesday.
The border has been a political headache for Biden. Republicans have consistently bashed him over his handling of the situation and aim to make it a key issue for voters in the 2024 election.
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