A decade ago, the conservative movement seemed up in arms over the idea of a president — at that time, President Barack Obama — essentially usurping immigration authority from Congress. The fact that Obama issued executive orders (in lieu of congressional action) to resolve some of the issues plaguing the U.S. immigration system was framed, by many conservatives, as dangerous overreach.
Now, far-right Republicans are rejecting a new bipartisan immigration bill devised in the Senate and framing executive action, perhaps under a potential Donald Trump presidency, as the only way the United States’ immigration issues will get resolved. Suddenly, their belief in Congress’ authority and responsibility when it comes to this matter has melted away.
House GOP leadership released a statement Monday claiming the proposed bill won’t see a vote in the House because President Joe Biden “has refused to utilize his broad executive authority” to stem immigration.
It’s a talking point we’ve heard a lot from Republicans over the last week — and one deeply inconsistent with their previous claims.
“The only way we’re gonna fix the border is to have a new president,” Rep. Carlos Giménez said Sunday on Fox News. The Florida Republican claimed, “President Biden can control the border today if he wanted to — he doesn’t need any legislation from Congress to do so.”
And, he added, “I think it’s a mistake for us in Congress to say, ‘Hey, we can help fix this.'” Today’s “do-nothing Congress” is living up to its name under GOP control.
Rep. Troy Nehls of Texas essentially echoed Giménez, and repeated his previous admission that he has political reasons for wanting to thwart a potential legislative win for Biden.
“Congress doesn’t have to do anything to secure our southern border and fix it,” Nehls claimed in footage obtained by Rolling Stone.
“Why would I help Joe Biden improve his dismal 33 percent [approval rating] when he can fix the border and secure it…
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