Article Summary –
Fifteen House Democrats have urged President Joe Biden to use his executive power to secure the US border amid a stalemate in Congress on the issue. The letter, spearheaded by Rep. Angie Craig (D-Minn.), said the current situation is untenable and urges Biden to better address security issues at the border, interdict the flow of illicit fentanyl, and allow for orderly legal immigration. They also accused Republicans of refusing to tackle the problem legislatively for the sole purpose of using the issue as a campaign tool against Democrats.
House Democrats Urge Biden to Act on Border Security
Over a dozen House Democrats are urging President Biden to use his executive powers for securing the border, amid the congressional deadlock. In a letter addressed to the President, 15 Democrats stated that with the blocked bipartisan border bill, the responsibility now lies with the White House to address the migrant issue and the flow of fentanyl.
“Given the untenable situation and Republicans playing politics on border security, we urge you to use all tools available, including executive action, to address security at the Southern border and interdict illicit fentanyl,” the lawmakers stated.
The letter was initiated by Rep. Angie Craig (D-Minn.) and supported by 14 others, including Reps. Susan Wild (Pa.), Mike Levin (Calif.) and Steven Horsford (Nev.), all of whom are considered vulnerable lawmakers as per the Cook Political Report.
Democrats are concerned that the border security issue could impact their reelection chances, as Republicans seek to capitalize on voter anxieties about immigration and the border issue.
Earlier this year, a bipartisan group of senators agreed on stricter border security measures as part of a sizeable foreign aid package. However, ex-President Trump advised Republicans not to support border reforms before the election, using the issue against Biden. This led Republicans to reject the agreement, stalling progress on the immigration reforms.
Democrats, including Biden, have criticized Republicans for their dismissal of the border issue. However, the situation at the southern border remains unresolved, as thousands of migrants continue to arrive seeking asylum daily. This has resulted in continuous GOP attacks on Biden’s handling of the crisis.
In their letter, the 15 Democrats accused Republicans of refusing to address the issue legislatically. They also urged Biden to intervene with executive fixes, addressing the fentanyl crisis and the struggles of local governments in accommodating asylum seekers.
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