Speaker Mike Johnson has launched a scathing attack on President Biden’s endorsement of the bipartisan Senate border deal, accusing him of misleading the public and failing to utilize his existing legal authority to secure the US-Mexico border.
Key Points of Johnson’s Criticism:
- False Claims: Johnson accuses Biden of falsely claiming he needs a new law to close the border, arguing that the President already possesses “ample authority” under the Immigration and Nationality Act and recent Supreme Court rulings.
- Executive Action Demanded: Johnson reiterates his call for Biden to take immediate executive action, outlining specific measures like ending catch-and-release, reinstating Remain in Mexico, and resuming border wall construction.
- Senate Deal Criticized: Johnson fiercely criticizes the Senate proposal, claiming it would allow an unsustainable number of illegal crossings (150,000 per month) before triggering any potential border shutdown, effectively surrendering US sovereignty.
- Focus on Existing Authority: Johnson emphasizes that Biden should prioritize utilizing his existing legal powers before seeking new legislation, arguing that it’s the fastest and most effective way to address the border crisis.
Overall Tone:
Johnson’s statement adopts a strong and uncompromising tone, portraying Biden as disingenuous and unwilling to take necessary action to secure the border. He presents himself as a firm advocate for stricter border control measures and criticizes the Senate deal as insufficient and potentially harmful.
Potential Implications:
Johnson’s statement highlights the ongoing partisan divide on immigration policy and casts doubt on the prospects of the Senate deal receiving sufficient support for passage. It also reinforces the Republican stance on prioritizing executive action and stricter border control measures.
Additional Notes:
- Johnson’s statement references a previous letter he sent to Biden outlining his proposed executive actions.
- The accuracy of Johnson’s claim regarding the exact number of crossings allowed under the Senate proposal could be further investigated.
