Texas Dem invites Boehner to border

Rep. Pete Gallego (D-Texas) on Tuesday invited Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio) to visit the U.S.-Mexico border.

In a letter to the Speaker, Gallego said that seeing the border in person would provide a more nuanced understanding of the situation at the border.

{mosads}”Because you, as the first among equals in the people’s House, have more influence than most in the legislative process, I invite you to come to the Texas-Mexico border to join me in speaking to community leaders and the dedicated law enforcement working to protect our borders every day,” Gallego wrote. “This will give you an in-person view as well as firsthand, non-partisan and unvarnished representations of what is occurring on the border.”

Gallego suggested that visiting the border during August, instead of last month during the peak of congressional debate on the issue, would be an ideal time to see it. He noted that fewer child migrants have been crossing the border over the last month, suggesting that the situation may be easing slightly.

“Many members of Congress and others from across the country chose to come during the apex of the crisis. They came to the border for a short trip or photo op and proclaimed themselves experts. This is akin to visiting a hurricane while the storm still rages and distracting or attempting to take command of the first responders already on site,” Gallego said.

The Texas Democrat said Boehner could demonstrate his bipartisan credentials by accepting his invitation.

“Throughout your tenure in the House, you have earned a reputation as a legislator who can find common ground in the most difficult of circumstances. I ask you to use that experience to guide the House towards a real and reasonable resolution of the border’s current situation,” Gallego said.