Former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has criticized the Biden administration’s response to Iran proxy attacks and expressed concerns about the vulnerability of the U.S. due to the southern border. House Republicans from Texas have joined forces to urge their Senate counterparts to push for stricter border security measures, stating that the Senate GOP’s recent proposal to address illegal immigration at the U.S.-Mexico border does not go far enough.
In a letter addressed to their Senate Republican colleagues, the Texas lawmakers referenced the “Texas Border Plan,” a comprehensive 13-page document released by Republicans representing the Lone Star State late last year. The letter, signed by all but one Texas Republican in the House, highlighted that the House of Representatives had embraced the Texas Border Plan in passing H.R. 2, the Secure the Border Act of 2023. However, the Senate, led by Chuck Schumer, has yet to act on this critical legislation.
The Senate GOP working group recently unveiled a proposal to tackle the southern border crisis. They are advocating for the plan to be included in President Biden’s supplemental aid request for Ukraine and Israel, in exchange for Republican support. While the plan aligns with certain aspects of H.R. 2, such as the resumption of border wall construction and restrictions on the Biden administration’s ability to parole undocumented migrants, Rep. Chip Roy, R-Texas, who is leading the letter, criticized it for not meeting the standards set by the House bill.
The House lawmakers’ letter also highlighted that a majority of the Senate Republican Conference had previously voted for H.R. 2 when it was offered as an amendment to a bill raising the debt ceiling in June 2022. They urged their Senate colleagues to adopt the critical policy changes included in H.R. 2 and the Texas Border Plan in order to find effective solutions to the border crisis.
However, the Senate Republicans’ plan has faced criticism from both the left and the right, diminishing its chances of being seriously considered. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer called the proposal “a total non-starter” during a press conference, comparing it to H.R. 2. Schumer warned against making Ukraine funding conditional on hard-right border policies that are unlikely to pass Congress.
While there may be enough support among Senate Republicans to pass a robust Ukraine aid bill, it is unlikely to gain traction in the House without significant conservative concessions. Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., has already passed a decoupled Israel aid bill through the House and indicated that border security measures would need to be attached to any Ukraine aid in his chamber.
The issue of border security and immigration continues to be a contentious topic in U.S. politics. The House Republicans’ call for stronger measures reflects their concerns regarding the current situation at the southern border. As the debate continues, it remains to be seen how the Senate GOP and the Biden administration will address the border crisis and find common ground on this critical issue.
Elizabeth Elkind is a reporter for Digital, focusing on Congress and the intersection of Artificial Intelligence and politics. Her previous digital bylines have been seen at Daily Mail and CBS News. For updates, follow her on Twitter at @liz_elkind and send tips to [email protected].
