House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) Is Set To Visit The Texas-Mexico Border On Monday, April 24th, To Campaign For Rep. Monica De La Cruz (R-TX) And Highlight Republican Efforts To Secure The Southern Border.
The Visit Comes As Congress Grapples With A $95 Billion Aid Package For Ukraine And Border Security Measures, Which Has Faced Opposition From Hardline Republicans.
During The Trip, Johnson Is Expected To Hold A Roundtable Discussion With De La Cruz And Local Officials In Mcallen, Texas, To Address The Ongoing Migration Crisis At The Border.
The Visit Aims To Bolster De La Cruz’s Re-Election Bid In Texas‘ 15th Congressional District, Which She Narrowly Won In 2022 Amid A Republican Push To Gain Ground In South Texas.
“The Speaker’s Visit Underscores The Importance Of Securing Our Southern Border And Supporting Representatives Like Monica De La Cruz Who Are On The Frontlines Of This Crisis,” Said A Spokesperson For Johnson.
He Will Reiterate The House GOP’s Commitment To Taking Decisive Action To Regain Control Of The Situation.
De La Cruz, A First-Term Congresswoman, Has Been A Vocal Critic Of President Biden’s Immigration Policies, Accusing The Administration Of Fueling The Surge In Illegal Border Crossings.
Her District, Which Stretches From The Rio Grande Valley To The Outskirts Of San Antonio, Has Been A Hotspot For Migrant Arrivals In Recent Months.
The Visit Comes As House Republicans Face Pressure To Deliver On Their Campaign Promises To Address The Border Crisis. Last Month, Johnson Led A Delegation Of Over 60 GOP Lawmakers To Eagle Pass, Texas, Where They Demanded That Biden Crack Down On Illegal Immigration Before Approving Additional Aid For Ukraine And Israel.
“We Want To Get The Border Closed And Secured First,” Johnson Said During The Visit. “The Solution Is To Go Back To The Policies That Worked.“
However, The House’s Hardline Stance Has Faced Resistance From Senate Republicans, Who Have Been Negotiating A Bipartisan Deal That Would Provide Aid To Ukraine While Also Addressing Border Security Concerns.
The Impasse Has Raised Concerns About The Ability Of Congress To Deliver On Both Fronts, With Some Lawmakers Growing Frustrated With The Lack Of Progress.
In A Rare Move, House Democrats Have Signaled Their Willingness To Support The Aid Package, Potentially Providing The Votes Needed To Push It Through The Chamber Over The Objections Of Hardline Republicans.
The Bipartisan Effort Reflects The Urgency Of The Situation In Ukraine, Where Russian Forces Have Escalated Their Offensive In Recent Weeks.
As The Debate Continues In Washington, The Border Crisis Shows No Signs Of Abating. In March, U.S. Customs And Border Protection Reported Over 192,000 Encounters With Migrants At The Southern Border, A 24% Increase From The Previous Month.
De La Cruz’s Re-Election Bid Will Be Closely Watched As A Barometer Of Republican Fortunes In South Texas, A Region That Has Traditionally Leaned Democratic But Where The GOP Has Made Inroads In Recent Years.
With The Border Crisis Likely To Remain A Central Issue In The 2024 Campaign, Johnson’s Visit Underscores The High Stakes For Both Parties In The Ongoing Debate.
