During a trip in recent days to the United States’ southern border, President Joe Biden directly spoke to recent actions by ex-President Donald Trump, who also visited the area the same day.
Trump publicly expressed opposition to a bipartisan deal on border policy proposed in the Senate, and in tandem, Republicans voted it down. They sunk, for now, a plan that would have established new powers for closing the southern border in periods of extensive strain, boosted hiring on border security teams, expanded the roster of judges on staff for handling immigration cases, and more.
“I understand my predecessor is in Eagle Pass today,” Biden told his listeners in Brownsville, Texas. “So, here’s what I would say to Mr. Trump: Instead of playing politics with the issue, instead of telling members of Congress to block this legislation, join me — or I’ll join you — in telling the Congress to pass this Bipartisan Border Security bill. We can do it together. You know and I know it’s the toughest, most efficient, most effective border security bill this country has ever seen. So, instead of playing politics with the issue, why don’t we just get together and get it done? And let’s remember who the heck we work for. We work for the American people, not the Democratic Party or the Republican Party.”
Biden made other specific pushes around the now languishing proposal as well, arguing for the Senate to consider the package again and for the House to actually put it on the floor for a vote should it reach the chamber.
Also still delayed is a push to give new security assistance to Ukraine amid an ongoing Russian invasion, during which Ukraine’s defense personnel are now facing reported supply shortages. GOP leadership in the Republican Party-controlled House reacted to the Senate passing a foreign aid package with renewed demands for border action meeting their political preferences. Legislative leaders convened more recently at the White House for a meeting with the president on the subject, during which Senate Majority Leader Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) said the pressure was on House Speaker Rep. Mike Johnson (R-La.) to act.
