Fourteen Democrats voted with Republicans to denounce President Biden’s “open-border policies” Wednesday, delivering a rare legislative rebuke to the leader of their party on the politically prickly matter of immigration and border policy.
The GOP-led resolution — which also urges Biden to “end his administration’s open-border policies” — cleared the chamber in a 225-187 vote, with all Republicans in support.
Democratic “yes” votes came from Reps. Colin Allred (Texas), Yadira Caraveo (Colo.), Angie Craig (Minn.), Henry Cuellar (Texas), Don Davis (N.C.), Jared Golden (Maine), Vicente Gonzalez (Texas), Greg Landsman (Ohio), Susie Lee (Nevada), Jared Moskowitz (Fla.), Wiley Nickel (N.C.), Mary Peltola (Alaska), Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (Wash.) and Eric Sorensen (Ill.).
“Most of us understand that nations need borders, those borders should be secured, and we should enforce the immigration laws on the books. Most of us also understand that those seeking entry to our country deserve an orderly and predictable immigration process. Right now we have problems on both fronts,” Golden said.
“Illegal immigration threatens our national security and undermines American jobs. It’s time for Congress and the Biden administration to come together and pass legislation to meaningfully address issues at the border. It should be a top priority in Washington, just like it is in most of America.”
Nickel, who is not running for re-election in 2024, told The Hill in a statement “The time for decisive action at the southern border is now.”
“It’s unfortunate that the far-right and the far-left continue to make this a political issue rather than coming to the table to find consensus and common ground. I remain focused on working in a bipartisan way to secure the border and pass comprehensive immigration reform through Congress. I’ll work with anyone to help save lives, improve security at the southern border, and make our communities safer,” he added.
Landsman, in a statement to The Hill, said “The Administration could do more, such as building on last year’s increase in border personnel and pushing on authorities in Mexico to provide even more enforcement,” but argued that “the resolution was poorly worded and arguably just a ‘gotcha’ bill.”
“I just don’t play those games, and certainly won’t allow them to suggest I’m for an open border. Everyone knows that’s absurd, but they use these votes to twist the truth. It’s not productive,” he wrote. “The fact is that the heavy lifting is on Congress. Everyone knows Congress and the Speaker must act. Real policy and funding solutions. The resolution does not let them off the hook. The American people are watching, and they want action.”
He also said he planned to submit a resolution that called on Congress “o fully fund border patrol, fully fund immigration judges and personnel, and fully fund the border technology needs.”
The Hill also reached out to the other lawmakers for comment on their votes.
The legislation — which spans three pages — takes aim at the Biden administration’s decision to end the Migrant Protection Protocols and stop construction of a wall along the southern border, and accuses it of “abusing the parole authority.” It also alleges the administration of having “lax” immigration and border enforcement policies.
The House approved the resolution as Republicans kick off the new year with an increased focus on border issues. Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) led a group of roughly 60 Republicans to the border earlier this month, and Republicans on the House Homeland Security Committee are holding a series of hearings about the impeachment of Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas.
The blitz comes as immigration and border security prove to be important issues among voters in the 2024 election cycle, and as they emerge as a weak spot for Biden. A CBS News poll released earlier this month found that 68 percent of Americans disapprove of how Biden is handling the situation at the border, with just 32 percent in approval.
Updated at 6:33 p.m. Jan. 18.
