Speaker of the House Kevin McCarthy’s (R) recent trip to the border has come under fire from Democratic lawmakers.
Texas Rep. Veronica Escobar (D) recently took to Twitter to display her disdain for the speaker’s recent visit.
“Usually, I critique my colleagues who parachute into the border, take their selfies, and leave. I’d count Kevin McCarthy as one of them, but he couldn’t even be bothered to leave his helicopter. Some lawmakers fly over the border, some of us live here,” stated Rep. Escobar.
Usually, I critique my colleagues who parachute into the border, take their selfies, and leave. I’d count Kevin McCarthy as one of them, but he couldn’t even be bothered to leave his helicopter.
Some lawmakers fly over the border, some of us live here. https://t.co/EQaXJJYoLZ
— Rep. Veronica Escobar (@RepEscobar) February 17, 2023
Her tweet comes in response to the video of Rep. McCarthy’s visit to the border.
In the video, McCarthy targets the Biden Administration's efforts in addressing border security.
“Gaps in the wall. Abandoned tech. The Biden Administration stopped our border security progress in its tracks. Why is President Biden denying law enforcement and property owners the use of every possible tool at their disposal to secure the border and end the crisis?” states McCarthy.
Gaps in the wall. Abandoned tech. The Biden Administration stopped our border security progress in its tracks.
Why is the President Biden denying law enforcement and property owners the use of every possible tool at their disposal to secure the border and end the crisis? pic.twitter.com/MyKwM3LzYz
— Kevin McCarthy (@SpeakerMcCarthy) February 16, 2023
Escobar targeted McCarthy’s voting history, stating, “Last Congress, @SpeakerMcCarthy voted against: $7.2 billion for Border Patrol operations $65 million for 300 new Border Patrol agents $3.4 billion to modernize infrastructure at ports of entry $60 million for CBP personnel at ports $230 million for between-the-ports technology.”
Last Congress, @SpeakerMcCarthy voted against:
$7.2 billion for Border Patrol operations
$65 million for 300 new Border Patrol agents
$3.4 billion to modernize infrastructure at ports of entry
$60 million for CBP personnel at ports
$230 million for between-the-ports technology— Rep. Veronica Escobar (@RepEscobar) February 17, 2023
McCarthy’s visit to the border comes during a time in which political border visits have been scrutinized.
President Biden (D) and Vice President Kamala Harris (D) have been criticized for their visits which have been dismissed for multiple reasons such as being too brief.
After President Biden’s first visit to the border in El Paso, Texas Rep Michael McCaul (R) stated, “Major blue cities are experiencing just a fragment of what Texans face each day. And they're finally admitting what we've known all along: The Biden admin's border crisis is unsustainable.”
However, the speaker’s recent trip to the border has faced similar scrutiny by Democrats.
Illegal immigration is a bipartisan concern. However, the legislation and approach to the issue can vastly differ between the two parties, often drawing large amounts of criticism.
Nonetheless, U.S. lawmakers will continue to visit the border in order to get a better view of the situation at hand.
