Gonzales Addresses Border Security Concerns

Rep. Tony Gonzales

Texas Rep. Tony Gonzales (R) addressed border security concerns this week after Republicans helped detour U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas being impeached. Georgia Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R) had introduced a resolution to impeach Mayorkas, but 8 Republicans voted with all Democrats to shelve the effort.

Republicans have sounded the alarm on border security, arguing that the border crisis is poised to get worse under the Biden administration. Secretary Mayorkas has been the subject of scrutiny over his handling of the border, and the resolution that lawmakers voted on is the second one that Rep. Greene has introduced to impeach Mayorkas.

In speaking to reporters, Rep. Gonzales highlighted the responsibility that lawmakers have, as well as the responsibility that the Biden administration is tasked with, to protect the border.

"We never stop fighting to hold this administration accountable," Gonzales told reporters outside of the Capitol this week, calling Republicans "the last line of defense" when it comes to protecting the border. The Texas Republican said that Republicans must act, and that "it can't just be words" regarding the issue.

"There has to be meaningful solutions. Marjorie and I have worked very closely to get H.R. 2. This is the strongest border security package passed out of the House, and we are pushing hard to get the Senate to act and pass some meaningful border security solutions into law," Gonzalez explained.

"You see these photos. These are innocent Americans that were just living there lives, like any of us, are now gone, and they can never be replaced because of this border crisis. It starts by fixing it here in Washington," he added.

Gonzalez praised Greene for "her leadership, her constant pushing of the issue, and holding people accountable. And never backing down no matter win, lose or draw, she's never gonna back down."

"I'm honored to stand beside her today and continue to fight on border security until we get it done."

Daniel Molina

Daniel Molina is a managing editor and legislative correspondent with a decade of experience covering the evolving political landscape of the American South and Southwest.