On Monday morning, a new White House memo sharply criticized House Speaker Mike Johnson’s stance on the current border security and supplemental funding discussions.
Clash Over Border Policies
This follows Johnson’s criticism of President Biden’s support for these talks, in which he claimed the crisis at the border is driven more by the Democratic administration’s policies and executive actions than by existing laws.
Controversial Bill Under Scrutiny
“Until recently, Speaker Johnson advocated for HR2 because, in his view, presidents needed new legal authorities in order to secure the border,” stated White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre, referencing the controversial border security bill.
“What’s more, the Trump Administration argued the same – with the full-throated endorsement of then-Congressman Mike Johnson.”
A Call for Immediate Action
“If Speaker Johnson continues to believe – as President Biden and Republicans and Democrats in Congress do – that we have an imperative to act immediately on the border, he should give this administration the authority and funding we’re requesting to secure the border,” Jean-Pierre remarked.
Emphasizing National Border Security
Raj Shah, Johnson’s spokesperson, quickly countered Jean-Pierre’s remarks, emphasizing Johnson’s consistent belief that “national security starts at our own border.”
The ‘Secure the Border Act’
Speaking to Fox News Digital, Shah stated, “The Secure the Border Act would codify this principle into federal law, and he continues to strongly urge the Senate and President to support it or similar legislation.”
Presidential Power and Border Control
Shah added, “But make no mistake, President Biden pledged on Friday to ‘shut down the border.’ However, with the stroke of a pen, he could begin by restoring Remain in Mexico, ending catch and release, reforming asylum and parole standards. His refusal places our national sovereignty at stake.”
Border Closure Claims
Shah also took a firm stand against the current administration, noting, “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.”
Urging Presidential Action
In a letter to President Biden late last year, the Speaker urged for executive action on border issues. “As my letter stated, President Biden can begin to secure the border by ending catch-and-release, ceasing exploitation of parole authority, reinstating the Remain in Mexico program, expanding the use of expedited removal authority, and renewing construction of the border wall,” Johnson stated on Friday.
Legal Authority on Border Crisis
He further stressed, “The President must start by using the broad legal authority he already possesses to reclaim our nation’s sovereignty and end the mass release of illegal aliens into our country.”
The $106 Billion Supplemental Funding
Jean-Pierre, in her Monday memo, highlighted that Johnson’s letter also emphasized the need for “Statutory reforms designed to restore operational control at our southern border must be enacted.”
She noted previous calls by then-President Trump for Democrats to pass border and immigration reform to close systemic ‘loopholes.’
Shut Down the Border
A bipartisan group of senators has been working with the Biden administration for weeks on proposals to address the migrant crisis. House and Senate Republicans have declared such reforms essential to their backing of the Democrats’ $106 billion supplemental funding request, which includes funds for Ukraine, Israel, and other matters.
‘Overwhelmed’ Border
President Joe Biden recently pledged to stop border crossings when they become ‘overwhelmed’ if Congress approves a bipartisan immigration bill granting him such power.
Hope for a Bipartisan Border Agreement
“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,” Biden declared Friday evening.
“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.”
Biden Calls for Border ‘Fix’
Expressing hope for a bipartisan agreement, Biden emphasized the dire need to ‘fix’ the broken border. “Securing the border through these negotiations is a win for America. For everyone who is demanding tougher border control, this is the way to do it,” he stated.
“If you’re serious about the border crisis, pass a bipartisan bill, and I will sign it.”
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