A group of congressional Democrats broke ranks with much of their party this week and called for stronger border protection amid the ongoing wave of migrant crossings across the southern border. The move came as 2023 saw the highest rate of border crossings in American history.
The resolution condemning the president’s border policy passed the House with support from 14 Democrats.
The 14 Democrats joined with House Republicans, allowing the resolution to pass. The measure was opposed by 193 Democrats. Seven Republicans and six Democrats did not vote either way.
Rep. Monica De La Cruz (R-TX) introduced the resolution, which argued that Biden’s policy “only incentivizes illegal immigration and worsens the border crisis.”
“The current state of our nation’s border security is unsustainable,” De La Cruz said. “The policies put forth by the Biden administration have resulted in the worst border security crisis in our nation’s history, endangering our communities and straining our resources.”
Several Democrats in potentially vulnerable House Districts supported the measure.
Democrats will likely vote in lockstep against HRes 1065 today because it calls attention to the Border crisis and lists things Joe Biden can do, but refuses to do.
Today I managed debate on the Resolution that brings this legislation to the floor.https://t.co/XCSG01TUcU https://t.co/evCFo5tqcL
— Thomas Massie (@RepThomasMassie) March 12, 2024
Last year saw more than three million attempted crossings into the United States, which broke a previous record also set during the Biden administration. This included more than 300,000 border encounters in December 2023, the first time that border crossings reached that level.
The border was a major topic during Biden’s State of the Union address last week. The president pressed for a proposed immigration and border security bill opposed by many Congressional Republicans and former President Donald Trump.
During the president’s comments, congressional Republicans called on him to mention the name of slain college student Laken Riley. Biden attempted to mention the young woman’s name, but appeared to pronounce her first name “Lincoln.”
The president then said that Riley was allegedly murdered by an “illegal” immigrant. Biden backed the use of his phrase the following day, stating that he was not supposed to be in the United States.
However, over the weekend the president apologized for using the term “illegal” during a media interview.
