(TargetLiberty.org) A two-week recess has been used by the Republicans to turn the U.S.-Mexico border into a sort of extension campus for the House of Representatives. During this period of time, there will be a number of border visits from different GOP-led House committees as well as hearings on the border crisis.
Republicans are trying to put all the blame for drug trafficking, national security, and the influx in migrant crossings, which has turned into a humanitarian crisis on President Biden. Throughout the Biden administration, the number of migrant encounters has consistently remained high. The GOP now believes that by being on the location they are going to increase the public disapproval of Democratic policies.
On Thursday, Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) led a border visit with four freshman House Republicans who managed to flip Democratic-held seats during the 2022 midterm election. Reps. Juan Ciscomani (Ariz.), Lori Chavez-DeRemer (Ore.), Jen Kiggans (Va.), and Derrick Van Orden (Wis.) all joined McCarthy in the border visit.
McCarthy spoke from the private property of a rancher with the border fence visible in the background. During his remarks, McCarthy claimed that the GOP’s actions were going to force the Democrats to stop ignoring the problem. He added that they would work to fix the problem that the Democrats had previously pretended was not happening. He continued by saying that they were going to have hearings regarding the border crisis and it was up to all members of Congress to attend those.
McCarthy stated that in the hearings there would be members from both sides of the aisle.
The House Energy and Commerce Committee investigations and health subcommittees have also had a joint field hearing in McAllen, Texas. They argued that President Biden’s border policies are to blame for the public health crisis caused by the increase in fentanyl deaths. The House Judiciary Committee is also set to hold a hearing near Yuma, Arizona.
Members of the House Homeland Security Committee are going to be visiting the border city of El Paso, Texas, for a “border boot camp,” which will be focused on helping freshman members understand how the Customs and Border Protection and the Texas Department of Public Safety operate. They are also expected to have a hearing at the border in March.
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