The House of Representatives passed a resolution censuring Vice President Kamala Harris for her handling of the U.S.-Mexico border, marking the first legislative challenge against her as the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee for 2024.
The House of Representatives has passed a resolution condemning Vice President Kamala Harris's handling of the southern border, marking the first legislative challenge against her as the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee for 2024.
House Condemns Harris's Handling of Southern Border
The resolution, introduced by House GOP Conference Chair Elise Stefanik, R-N.Y., passed 220-196, with six Democrats joining all Republicans in support. The measure accuses Harris, who was appointed by President Biden to address the "root causes" of illegal immigration, of overseeing "failed and dangerous policies" that have led to a "catastrophic border crisis."
Republicans have repeatedly criticized Harris's performance as "border czar," arguing that she has failed to effectively mitigate the surge in illegal immigration and drug trafficking at the border. They have seized on the issue as a key attack point against Harris, who is widely expected to face former President Donald Trump in the 2024 election.
House Condemns Harris's Handling of Southern Border
The six moderate Democrats who voted for the resolution - Jared Golden of Maine, Marie Gluesenkamp Perez of Washington, Mary Peltola of Alaska, Henry Cuellar of Texas, Don Davis of North Carolina, and Yadira Caraveo of Colorado - represent a scathing rebuke of their party's likely presidential candidate.
During the debate on the bill, Stefanik accused Harris of pursuing "radical left" policies that have undermined border security, while Rep. Mark Green of Tennessee, R-Tenn., asserted that Harris could have found the "root causes" of the crisis "by just looking in the mirror."
House Condemns Harris's Handling of Southern Border
Democrats, however, denounced the resolution as a politically motivated attack and accused Republicans of using House resources for campaign purposes. Rep. Bennie Thompson, D-Miss., called the bill a "second-rate attempt at election interference" and accused Republicans of "blatantly using House resources for campaign purposes."
Despite the passage of the resolution, Democrats have sought to downplay Harris's role in border security, arguing that her mission was primarily to address the underlying factors driving migration from Central America and other parts of the world.
House Condemns Harris's Handling of Southern Border
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., accused Republicans of "making up" the "border czar" title in a press conference on Thursday.
The resolution is the House's last vote before Congress recesses for August and will return after Labor Day.
The White House has not yet commented on the resolution.
