Representative Henry Cuellar (D-TX) appeared on MSNBC to discuss the bipartisan, bicameral border deal attempting to make its way through the Legislative Branch.
When asked if he believes Republicans are approaching this deal in good faith, Rep. Cuellar stated that some members of the GOP are hesitant because they are acting on politics, not policy. This interview occurred before the bill’s text was announced.
The crisis at our Southern Border should not be about party politics. The entire nation is finally feeling the burden that border communities have felt for years.
It is irresponsible to reject a bipartisan border security bill without even reading it. We have a crisis at our… pic.twitter.com/d8xTPHKiDU
— Rep. Henry Cuellar (@RepCuellar) February 3, 2024
“No, surely some of them are not acting on policy, they’re acting on politics. Because how can you reject the bill that you haven’t read? Nobody has seen the text, I think they’re trying to finish that text, so how do you reject it? And that’s what’s amazing,” said Rep. Cuellar.
He continued by mentioning that Republicans are “crying wolf” despite finally having a “tough border deal” and inferred that those on the right side of the aisle are negating the bill because it might not be good for them in November.
“You cry wolf and say there’s a crisis. And then finally, when you get one of the toughest border security bills in generations, they reject it because one person told them no. It’s not good for my election and helps Biden, and they’re rejecting something they haven’t read.”
Furthermore, Cuellar pointed out that Republicans have voted no for bills like this in the past.
“And on top of that, the last two years on [The Homeland Security Committee], I sit as the Ranking Member [of] Appropriations – the subcommittee for Homeland, we’ve added $2.5 billion to the [Customs and Border Protection for new border control,” said Rep. Cuellar. “Every single Republican except for two that are still in the House voted no. So they said no to money and they’re saying no to policy at this time.”
In addition to serving as the Ranking Member of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Homeland Security, Rep. Cuellar also serves on the Defense Subcommittee and the Subcommittee on Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies, according to his Congressional website.
Congressman Cuellar represents Texas’ 28th District.
