The House of Representatives voted Wednesday to block the salary of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas.
This vote is part of a broader DHS appropriations bill for fiscal year 2025, reflecting tensions over immigration policy and departmental leadership.
According to Fox News, Rep. Andy Biggs, R-Ariz., introduced the amendment targeting Mayorkas' salary, which passed with a vote of 193 to 173. Only one Republican opposed the measure.
House Republicans have frequently criticized Mayorkas, holding him accountable for the crisis at the southern border. In February, Mayorkas became the first Cabinet secretary to be impeached since the late 1800s.
However, a separate amendment by Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., to reduce Mayorkas' salary to zero failed in 208 to 200 votes, with one Republican voting present.
Rep. Andy Biggs voiced his rationale on social media, stating:
Taxpayers should not be paying an unelected bureaucrat who was impeached by the House. That's why I sponsored an amendment to this year's Homeland Security Appropriations Act to prohibit funding to be used for the salary of DHS Secretary Mayorkas.
Mayorkas' handling of immigration issues has drawn sharp criticism from House Republicans, further intensifying efforts to hold him accountable.
The DHS appropriations bill for fiscal year 2025 includes a roughly $3 billion increase from fiscal year 2024.
It allocates $600 million to complete former President Trump's border wall and contains provisions to block funding for abortion care and transgender health care for noncitizens in ICE custody.
In addition, an amendment by Rep. Chip Roy, R-Texas, to prohibit funds from being used to keep asylum seekers in Texas while their claims are being processed passed. Another measure by Rep. Andy Ogles, R-Tenn., to block DHS from implementing COVID-19 mask policies also succeeded.
The appropriations bill is expected to receive a final vote on Friday. However, it is unlikely to be taken up by the Democrat-led Senate. The White House has also threatened to veto the measure if it reaches President Biden's desk. This move highlights the ongoing conflict between House Republicans and the current administration over immigration policy and the management of DHS.
As the debate continues, other regions like Denver are feeling the pressure of immigration surges, with local schools overwhelmed by the influx of migrants. This situation has led the city's mayor to cut $5 million from public services to address the crisis, reflecting the broader national impact of immigration issues.
In conclusion, the House of Representatives' decision to block Secretary Mayorkas' salary underscores the intense scrutiny on his leadership amid the ongoing immigration crisis. The broader DHS appropriations bill, packed with controversial measures, is poised for a contentious journey through the legislative process, facing opposition from both the Senate and the White House.
