GOP Lawmaker's Visit to Border Draws Mixed Response From Democrats

On Jan. 3, several House GOP Representatives visited the U.S.-Mexico border with Speaker Mike Johnson (R). The trip drew a mixed response, as some viewed it as a necessary trip, and others claimed it was a political stunt.

Texas Representative Beth Van Duyne (R) was one of the GOP members on the trip to Eagle Pass.

“Grateful to join @SpeakerJohnson in Eagle Pass to highlight the urgent and ongoing border security disaster that demands serious changes from the Biden Administration. House Republicans are committed to securing our border and have already passed legislation to do so, but the Democrat-controlled Senate refuses to take it up,” stated Rep. Van Duyne.

The congresswoman has been focused on the border. Last month she released a statement reinforcing her stance on the issue as well as the opioid crisis.

“As the crisis at the border worsens, the risk of fentanyl continues to grow. I’m working to stop the deadly flow of this drug across our borders and save American lives,” tweeted Rep. Van Duyne.

Texas Representative Greg Casar (D) dismissed the trip as nothing more than a show put on by Republicans in an attempt to pretend that they care about border security.

“Today, 60 House Republicans are in Texas to act tough for the cameras and to pull some anti-immigrant political stunts. Tomorrow, they’ll be gone. And we’ll keep working on a more orderly, safe, and humane immigration system.”

Texas Representative Veronica Escobar (D) released a lengthy statement detailing all the issues she had with the GOP visit to the border.

“For nearly 40 years, Congress has failed to reform our outdated immigration laws and has instead focused on the same, border-only deterrence policies that have proven to be a costly failure.”

The Texas congresswoman pointed to the Republicans’ previously drafted legislation as a failure and a representation of their stance.

“Today my Republican colleagues head to the border for more performative politics. They will point to their single and unvetted legislative idea—HR 2—as a solution, but anyone who understands border and immigration policy knows their proposal is a fig leaf: unserious, unworkable, and unrealistic.”

The Texas representative's final thoughts pointed to previously drafted legislation as well as new tactics that would help solve border security problems.

“We need real solutions that address our challenges and recognize the opportunities. The Dignity Act, a bipartisan comprehensive immigration reform bill I filed with Rep. Salazar, would address every facet of our broken system and is a true path forward. Anything else than thoughtful reform is simply more of the same,” stated Rep. Escobar.

It will be interesting to see if any future, helpful legislation comes of this border trip.