House Dems Block Bill Forcing Kamala Harris Visit Southern Border Or Lose Funding For International Travel
House Democrats blocked a GOP-backed bill that would have mandated Kamala Harris visit the southern border or be blocked from using taxpayer money to make any international trips. In a 217-203 vote, House Democrats stopped the bill.
Rep. Ashley Hinson introduced the See the Crisis Act, which would have prevented American taxpayer dollars from funding the vice president’s international travel until she went and visited the border. Hinson said:
“Vice President Harris was named as administration’s point person on the illegal immigration crisis at our southern border 80 days ago. And this crisis is worsening by the day. Yet, the vice president has refused to go to the border herself and talk to the brave law enforcement officers, the men, and women who are fighting this on the frontlines. And this sends a clear message to the cartels that the U.S. government doesn’t think it a priority to stop them.”
Hinson issued a press release touting the move to hold Kamala Harris to account. It said:
Congresswoman Ashley Hinson (IA-01) today introduced the See the Crisis Act, legislation that would block Vice President Harris from using taxpayer dollars to travel internationally before seeing the border crisis firsthand.
“It’s unacceptable that after nearly two months as the Administration’s so-called point person on the border crisis, Vice President Kamala Harris still hasn’t visited the Southern Border and heard directly from the brave law enforcement officers about what they are facing on the ground.
“As illegal immigration has surged, cartels are emboldened, and record levels of fentanyl are pouring into our country, this crisis continues to be out of sight and out of mind for this Administration,” said Congresswoman Ashley Hinson.
“This bill will stop Vice President Harris from traveling internationally on the taxpayers’ dime until she visits the Southern Border and reports to the American people on the steps the Administration is taking to address this crisis.”
Background:
President Joe Biden tapped Vice President Kamala Harris to lead the Administration’s immigration and border policy work 57 days ago. She has not visited the Southern Border since being sworn into office on January 20, 2021.
The See the Crisis Act stops all of the Vice President’s taxpayer-funded international travel until after she:
Visits the border to see the crisis firsthand and speak with CBP and law enforcement officials on the ground.
Reports to Congress on her border meetings and the Administration’s plans to offer foreign aid to Northern Triangle countries.
Reminder: it's been 80 days since VP Harris was named "border czar," and she continues to dodge & lie about if she'll actually see the issues there in person. The Biden Administration’s policies have caused constant disorder at the border & put the safety of Iowa families at risk
— Ashley Hinson (@hinsonashley) June 14, 2021
I have been to the border, @GrassleyWorks, and I can’t believe our VP/ border czar still hasn’t. Our law enforcement officers told me they’re completely overwhelmed by cartels & drug smugglers. Why is the Admin keeping our border open & allowing drugs to flood into the US?#IA01 https://t.co/jxUVJCxX8i
— Ashley Hinson (@hinsonashley) June 8, 2021
I’ve been to our southern border and talked to border patrol and local officials who are overwhelmed by the #BidenBorderCrisis. Have you @joniernst @hinsonashley @millermeeks @RandyFeenstra?
— Grassley Works (@GrassleyWorks) June 8, 2021