The House of Representatives recently passed a resolution condemning Vice President Kamala Harris for her failure to address the ongoing border crisis effectively. Introduced by Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-NY), the resolution garnered bipartisan support, passing with a vote of 220 to 196. This outcome reflects a significant level of dissatisfaction with Harris’s role as the Biden administration’s Border Czar.
House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) articulated the resolution’s purpose, stating, “Harris’s failure in leadership has led to record illegal crossings and overwhelmed communities.” Johnson emphasized that the Vice President’s inaction has exacerbated the border situation, creating a severe crisis that demands immediate attention.
Six Democrats broke ranks to support the resolution, including Reps. Mary Peltola (D-AK), Jared Golden (D-ME), Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (D-WA), Yadira Caraveo (D-CO), Don Davis (D-NC), and Henry Cuellar (D-TX). Their votes indicate a bipartisan acknowledgment of the urgent need for more effective border policies.
The resolution criticizes Harris for taking 93 days to visit the southern border after her appointment in March 2021 and highlights that neither she nor President Biden has communicated with the current U.S. Border Patrol Chief Jason Owens or his predecessor, Raul Ortiz. This lack of engagement is seen as a significant oversight in addressing the border crisis.
Stefanik’s resolution states, “The American people deserve elected officials who understand the gravity of the crisis at the border and who will execute the policies to fix the border crisis.” It further asserts that the continuation of current border policies would be detrimental to the United States and its citizens.
The passage of this resolution underscores the bipartisan concern over the current administration’s handling of border security. It calls for more effective leadership and policies to address the challenges at the border, reflecting the frustration and demands of communities affected by the ongoing crisis.
