On Wednesday, fourteen House Democrats broke ranks to criticize the Biden administration’s “open-borders policies” amid a surge in border crossings and the overwhelming influx of migrants in blue cities across the country.
This group of Democratic defectors, alongside all voting Republicans, supported a resolution introduced by Rep. Nathaniel Moran (R-TX). Twelve Democrats and nine Republicans did not participate in the vote.
In addition to condemning the policies, the resolution expressed concern about the “national security and public safety crisis along the southwest border” and called on President Joe Biden to “end his administration’s open-borders policies.”
Among the 14 Democrats who voted against their party were Rep. Colin Allred (D-TX), a former Tennessee Titans linebacker and Obama administration official currently challenging Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) in the 2024 election. The others included Reps. Yadira Caraveo (D-CO), Angie Craig (D-MN), Henry Cuellar (D-TX), Donald Davis (D-NC), Jared Golden (D-ME), Vicente Gonzalez (D-TX), Greg Landsman (D-OH), Susie Lee (D-NV), Jared Moskowitz (D-FL), Wiley Nickel (D-NC), Mary Peltola (D-AK), Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (D-WA), and Eric Sorensen (D-IL).
Golden, in a statement, emphasized the need for secure borders and the enforcement of immigration laws while acknowledging the importance of an orderly immigration process. He stated, “Illegal immigration threatens our national security and undermines American jobs,” urging Congress and the Biden administration to address border issues through meaningful legislation.
This bipartisan vote coincided with impeachment hearings against Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, ongoing discussions between congressional leaders and Biden on national security funding for U.S. allies, and efforts in the Democrat-led Senate to reach a deal on various issues, including border security.
House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) held President Biden responsible for the border crisis, stating, “Your policies created the border crisis. Your executive action can end it.” He affirmed that House Republicans would continue demanding policy changes and holding the administration accountable until the border is secure.