The U.S. House of Representatives has executed a striking decision against Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas by endorsing an amendment to cut his salary.
According to Fox News, the measure underscores rising governmental discord primarily due to Secretary Mayorkas’ immigration policy strategies.
Introduced by Representative Andy Biggs, R-Ariz., during Wednesday's vote, the plan to defund Secretary Mayorkas forms a part of the broader Department of Homeland Security (DHS) appropriations bill for fiscal year 2025. The council approved the decision to strip his salary by a margin of 193 to 173, showcasing a marked division in political opinion with only one Republican dissenting.
The internal strife amongst Republicans was also visible in the failure of another measure by Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga. Her proposal to reduce Mayorkas’ salary to zero saw defeat with a narrower vote of 208 to 200, with one Republican abstaining by voting present.
Fiscal aspects of the DHS bill suggest a marked escalation, as it involves a budgetary enlargement of about $3 billion from the past fiscal year. This increase includes a significant $600 million allocation aimed at completing the border wall—a project initiated by former President Donald Trump.
Among other notable amendments, the bill seeks to reshape several existing policies. Specifically, Representative Chip Roy, R-Texas, spearheaded an effort to block funding for policies that process asylum seekers within Texas, reflecting the ongoing national debate over how best to manage borders and immigration.
Furthermore, Representative Andy Ogles, R-Tenn., introduced and passed a controversial element that prohibits the enforcement of COVID-19 mask mandates. Additionally, the bill envisages blocking funds for abortion care and transgender health care for noncitizens in Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) custody, signaling a strong conservative push on social issues within the security paradigm.
Beyond the legislative assembly, the ripples of these decisions are further magnified by the administration's response. Indeed, the White House has expressed staunch opposition to the bill, signaling a probable veto by President Biden should it pass the Senate—a scenario rendered doubtful given the Senate's current Democratic majority.
House Republicans impeached Secretary Mayorkas back in February 2024, marking a precedent for this severe legislative push against him. This move branded him as the first Cabinet secretary to undergo impeachment since the late 1800s.
Lawmakers will vote on the broader appropriations bill, seasoned with various contentious amendments, this coming Friday. The outcome of this vote is awaited with bated breath, potentially shifting U.S. homeland security policy.
Before the decision, Rep. Andy Biggs expressed considerable discontent regarding Mayorkas' role and actions.
He wrote on X, "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 for the salary of DHS Secretary Mayorkas."
In summary, the legislative turbulence mirrored in the DHS appropriations bill conveys deep-seated discontent with Secretary Mayorkas’ management of immigration-related directives. With key votes upcoming and potential presidential vetoes looming, the trajectory of U.S. homeland security policy hangs tentatively in the balance.
