House Republicans Vote to Rebuke Kamala Harris Over Border Policy
Republicans Criticize Harris’s Role in Border Management
WASHINGTON (AP) – In a noteworthy move yesterday, House Republicans passed a resolution criticizing Vice President Kamala Harris’s approach to border policy. The resolution was primarily an object of criticism against Harris, who was designated by President Joe Biden earlier in his presidency to address the root causes of migration issues on the southern border.
The resolution has no legal force, serving more as a political statement by House Republicans— reinforcing their allegations made against the current Democratic administration. All House Republicans and six Democrats, ensnared in challenging reelection campaigns, voted in favor of the action.
Fallout of Border Crossings: Political Challenges for Biden
Illegal border crossings have plagued the Biden administration, proving a hotbed of political contention when the numbers reached historical proportions. June witnessed President Biden announcing significant restrictions on asylum applications at border crossings, leading to a subsequent drop in arrests for illegal entries.
Despite the decrease in illegal border crossings – a drop of over 55% between U.S. ports of entry, putting them lower on average than they were under Trump’s administration – it’s unclear if these challenges at the border will similarly tarnish the political profile of Vice President Harris.
Contentions from the Republican Front
Many Republicans assert that Harris has not done enough to curb illegal immigration. House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., delivered sharp criticism of Harris’s performance, suggesting that inaction on her part led to historically high illegal crossings, overburdened communities, and a disregard for the rule of law.
Steps Taken by Harris in the Role
As Vice President, Harris was tasked with diplomatic efforts to tackle issues instigating migration from the Northern Triangle countries of El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras. Part of her responsibility included urging these nations to enforce more strict regulation on their borders. The goal of these efforts by the Biden administration was to develop and implement long-term strategies addressing the root causes of migration from these countries.
Democrats’ Perspective and Response
Many House Democrats stand in defense of Harris, refuting the Republican criticisms of her job performance. Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries of New York, labeled the resolution as “fake and fraudulent,” refuting the portrayal of Harris as a “border czar” as suggested by the resolution.
Members of the Congressional Progressive Caucus also stepped forward in support of Harris. Caucus Chair, Pramila Jayapal of Washington State, clarified that Harris’ role wasn’t as broad as critics suggested. Jayapal highlighted that Harris’s task was the development of agreements to drive government and private sector investments into countries contributing the most to U.S. migration.
Assessing the Political Landscape
The six Democrats who cast their votes for the resolution indicate possible fissures in the party’s support for Harris, as all six are members from battleground districts. However, it remains to be seen how this issue will impact forthcoming election campaigns or party dynamics in the future.
