Republican Bid to Impeach Biden Border Official Fails in US House
By Richard Cowan and David Morgan
House Rejects Impeachment of Biden’s Border Official
The U.S. House of Representatives dealt a blow to Republican Speaker Mike Johnson by voting against impeaching Democratic President Joe Biden’s top border official on Tuesday. The Republican-controlled House blocked impeachment charges against Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas in a 214-216 vote.
Partisan Fighting Over Immigration Escalates
Four Republicans joined Democrats in opposing the charges against Mayorkas, highlighting the escalating partisan fighting over immigration ahead of the presidential election in November. Despite the failed impeachment vote, Republicans expressed their intention to try again in the future.
Reactions and Plans for a Second Vote
House Republicans, including Johnson’s spokesman Raj Shah, expressed their determination to bring articles of impeachment against Mayorkas back to the floor when they have enough votes for passage. Meanwhile, Department of Homeland Security spokesperson Mia Ehrenberg urged House Republicans to focus on providing the necessary border enforcement resources instead of engaging in political games.
Far-right House Republican rhetoric remained fiery, with Representative Lauren Boebert attributing the consequences of the open border to those who voted against impeaching Mayorkas. Additionally, Republican Representative Mike Simpson predicted a second vote on Mayorkas once House Majority Leader Steve Scalise returns from sick leave.
Senate Republicans Kill Bipartisan Border Security Deal
Earlier, Senate Republicans appeared to have killed a bipartisan border security deal aimed at resolving the ongoing border security problems. The measure, which included new military aid for Ukraine and Israel, faced opposition from Republican senators, ultimately prompting Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell to conclude that the effort would fail.
Immigration Emerges as a Top Concern for Voters
Immigration has become a top concern for voters as the November presidential election approaches, with polls indicating its significance. However, Republican Speaker Mike Johnson has emphasized that the bill would be “dead on arrival” in the House if the Senate were to pass it.
Impeachment Vote and Border Security Issues
The House Homeland Security Committee’s approval of two articles of impeachment against Mayorkas has stirred controversy, with some Republicans questioning the lack of evidence of “high crimes and misdemeanors” under the Constitution’s impeachment requirement. The ongoing debate on border security and immigration continues to be a focal point in the political landscape.
It is evident that the political landscape is highly charged, with immigration and border security emerging as critical issues in the lead-up to the November election. The dynamics of impeachment efforts and bipartisan deals underscore the complexities of governance and policy-making in the contemporary political climate.
