White House accuses Republicans of exacerbating border crisis

The White House accused Republicans on Wednesday of exacerbating the crisis at the 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 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.”

Johnson hit back at Biden, saying he “has been derelict in his duty” to secure the border and that his policies have exacerbated the situation.

“While the President requests more funds — not to stop illegal immigration — but to process more illegal immigrants through their ‘catch and release’ policy, he has undermined security at every turn,” the Speaker said.

“From his decision to rescind the Remain in Mexico policy to the widespread abuse of the parole and asylum systems, there is a direct line between this administration’s reckless policies and the record 300,000 illegal immigrants encountered at the Southern border last month,” Johnson added.

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 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 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.