Representative Pete Sessions (R-TX) appeared on CNN to discuss the ongoing border crisis and the possibility of a bipartisan, bicameral compromise.
The common roadblock between both parties is that there is a funding triangle in terms of providing aid for the southern border, Ukraine, and Israel.
There appears to be progress made in the upper chamber as Senator James Lankford (R-OK) suggested that there could be a bill “out by later this week.”
During his appearance on the cable network, Rep. Sessions said that he supports solving the “lingering problem” that is the southern border.
After three years of urging the Biden Admin to regain operational control of the southern border, time has run out.
The Biden border crisis has devolved into complete chaos.
Congress must prioritize America's own border before moving to consider funding elsewhere. pic.twitter.com/xAFnDnQV1O
— Pete Sessions (@PeteSessions) January 9, 2024
“I have huge agreement with James Lankford that we have to solve the problem. And it is a lingering problem not just for Republicans or Democrats. It’s cities, it’s governors, it is across the country, and for us to be incapable of effectively finding some sort of a better solution would be silly,” said Rep. Sessions. He added whether he believed a solution was attainable. “Yes, of course, I do believe it’s possible.”
When asked if he would support an agreement that comes just short of meeting the demands of HR 2 – a Republican-led border and immigration bill.
“I had been on the border for 25 years as a member of Congress. My dad was a federal judge in El Paso. I had been the entire border during my career. I had seen the importance of us coming together with a national policy,” said Sessions. “I’d like to vote yes. If it’s just short of everything the House wants, it can still pass. But the whole point is, it’s got to be an agreement that we stick to because cities are – and anybody involved in national security understands it, we’ve got a problem.”
The Texas congressman was then questioned if he would sacrifice Ukraine funding in order to get border security.
He responded, “The answer is: Russia is a pack of thugs. And it is in America’s best interest that we have Ukraine get our resources, get our front-line opportunities, whether it be F-16s – I didn’t say American pilots, but we use our intelligence and that we send Russia home if we don’t defeat them. But, would I actually vote against the full package that’s in February if we do not get something on the border, that answer is yes.”
Congressman Sessions represents Texas’ 17th District.
