(NewsNation) — New Hampshire Gov. Chris Sununu and 24 other GOP governors have expressed support for Texas Gov. Greg Abbott’s efforts to assert control at the southern border.
The bipartisan coalition signed a letter advocating for the use of various tools, including razor wire fences, to secure the border against the escalating threats of potential terrorists, drug trafficking and human smuggling.
“The federal government is not doing their jobs that Americans hired them to do,” Sununu said Monday in an interview on “Elizabeth Vargas Reports.” “Texas, as a state, has every right and responsibility to secure their border. The states come first, and Washington seems to forget that.”
Political tensions persist at the southern border as federal authorities have barred Border Patrol agents from accessing Shelby Park in Eagle Pass, Texas, along the Rio Grande for three weeks.
Texas officials and other Republican governors argue the obstruction is necessary, while the Biden administration insists on its removal.
On Capitol Hill, Biden is actively negotiating with lawmakers to address the immigration crisis. The proposed bill outlines comprehensive new border controls and grants the president the authority to close the border when overwhelmed by migrants.
Biden has vowed to shut down the U.S.-Mexico border “when it becomes overwhelmed” if Congress approves a bipartisan border security deal.
Addressing concerns about potential abuse of power, Sununu criticized the Biden administration for using politics to avoid taking decisive action. He called on the administration to empower Border Patrol to enforce existing laws without the need for extensive legislative changes.
“How about just allow Border Patrol to do their job, right? That doesn’t require legislation. That doesn’t require some major rule changes,” Sununu said.
While acknowledging the president’s authority to temporarily close the border in the face of an influx of migrants, Sununu stressed the importance of allowing Border Patrol agents to fulfill their duties. He argued a secure border requires enforcing existing laws rather than relying solely on optics.
