Representative Veronica Escobar (D-TX) was interviewed on MSNBC to discuss the recent trip made to the southern border by a large group of House Republicans. During her appearance on the network, the Texas congresswoman called for Speaker Mike Johnson and the Republican Conference to take up her bipartisan bill, the Dignity Act.
Representative Maria Salazar (R-FL) is the main Republican leader to co-sponsor the bill.
While on MSNBC, Rep. Escobar mentioned that coordinated visits and trips need to be met with action.
If @SpeakerJohnson and the Republicans who visited the border yesterday were serious about solutions, they’d bring the Dignity Act to the House Floor.
My bipartisan comprehensive immigration reform bill with @RepMariaSalazar secures our border and fixes our broken system 👇🏽 pic.twitter.com/DbyHEdpKRp
— Rep. Veronica Escobar (@RepEscobar) January 4, 2024
“The time has passed for these trips and visits. It’s time for action. Border communities like mine have been addressing the challenge of the increasing numbers for decades. And we are ready, willing, and able to be a part of the solution. But we need Congress to act,” said Rep. Escobar.
She continued, claiming that she was appreciative of Speaker Johnson addressing the border crisis, but also reinforced that movement toward solving the problem is more important.
“We need Congress to act. And so, while I appreciate that Speaker Johnson and many of my Republican colleagues went to Eagle Pass, we really need to take action on this issue in a meaningful way,” said Escobar.
Furthermore, the Texas congresswoman questioned whether the GOP actually wants to solve this issue at the border.
“And really, that begs the question as to whether Republicans really want to resolve this issue and really want to solve this, or if they simply love the performance and keeping the issue top of mind in order to win elections.”
Finally, Escobar made a pitch for the Dignity Act and took a shot at the right flank of the GOP Conference in the process.
“There is a bipartisan bill on the books today that if we got it to the floor, it would address all of this. It’s called the Dignity Act. And my colleague, Republican Maria Salazar from Miami, she and I have nearly 30 co-sponsors, bipartisan co-sponsors, it includes border security and more … But what the extremists on the Republican side are wanting to do, which is shut down the government is not workable,” said Escobar.
The Dignity Act has four core principles per the Salazar press release.
- Stopping illegal immigration; 2) Providing a dignified solution for undocumented immigrants living in America; (3) strengthening the American workforce and economy; and (4) ensuring the United States remains prosperous and competitive in the future.
