One of the key issues for Donald Trump’s campaign to attack Joe Biden is on the border.
That being said, there is speculation that Trump supporters in Congress will block any bipartisan border deal in the works to help Trump’s campaign.
So, it was not exactly a surprise to see Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) pan the idea that Biden supports the Senate-backed border plan.
Talking Points…
- The Senate plan
- Mike Johnson reacts
- Analysis
No deal is not finalized yet, but a bipartisan group of Senators have been working behind closed doors to pen border legislation that they want to tie into Ukraine and Israel aid.
Among the provisions would be additional powers for Biden to close the border during massive surges, but critics say he already has that power and this agreement is nothing more than fluff from congressional RINOs to justify their support for Israel and Ukraine aid.
As noted above, the legislation would give additional powers to the president, specifically to shut down overwhelmed ports of entry.
Donald Trump has already come out against the legislation, as have several other Republicans that believe this is nothing more than a dog and pony show to cover for more aid being given to Ukraine and Israel.
Leading the charge in the House against the legislation is Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA), who has already publicly endorsed Trump. On the legislation, Johnson stated:
“President Biden falsely claimed yesterday he needs Congress to pass a new law to allow him to close the southern border, but he knows that is untrue. As I explained to him in a letter late last year, and have specifically reiterated to him on multiple occasions since, he can and must take executive action immediately to reverse the catastrophe he has created.”
Johnson then proceeded to list the various things that Biden can do right now to slow the surge at the border. Joe Biden then responded:
“Let’s be clear… What’s been negotiated would — if passed into law — be the toughest and fairest set of reforms to secure the border we’ve ever had in our country. It would give me, as President, a new emergency authority to shut down the border when it becomes overwhelmed. And if given that authority, I would use it the day I sign the bill into law.”
This is nothing that will be solved before the election, as even Senate Minority Leader McConnell (R-KY) has reportedly backed away from the deal after learning that Trump’s operatives in Congress have no intention of passing this legislation, which has led to even more division among the GOP members in Congress.
I am all for passing new immigration legislation regardless of who is in the Oval Office, as long as it actually does something to enhance border security, not a fluff job to make it appear as though Biden is actually doing something to help deter illegal immigration. Sadly, from the provisions I have seen thus far, it looks like Johnson is getting it right for pushing back against this legislation that would clearly give Joe Biden a political win while shortchanging and deceiving the American people about the real situation at the border.
