Rep. Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-Texas) said Monday she does not want to see President Obama visit the border during his trip to Texas later this week.
Johnson, who represents a district that encompasses much of Dallas, said information is readily available to him about the huge influx of child immigrants captured crossing the border illegally this year.
{mosads}“No I would not,” she said on MSNBC when asked if she would like to see him visit the border.
“I think that he has people in place to take care of that situation. There have been leaders from all over the Congress to visit the border. The Homeland Security has been there. What would be the point in the president going?”
President Obama is traveling to Dallas on Wednesday to participate at a Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee fundraiser. On Thursday, he will speak at a Democratic National Committee fundraiser and give remarks about the economy in Austin.
Texas Gov. Rick Perry (R) has repeatedly invited Obama to tour the border, and said a failure to do so would signal a lack of concern on the president’s part. At least two Democrats have also extended an invitation.
The White House has said there are no plans to visit the border, and one is not included on his public schedule. The White House has noted a number of administration officials have traveled to the area.
Johnson said it is fine if Obama wants to visit the border, but evidence of the crisis can be seen in the interior of Texas as well, where some of the more than 52,000 unaccompanied children apprehended this year are being housed.
“If he chooses to go, I think it is fine, but I don’t think he needs to go to get information,” she said. “Information is readily available.”