The House of Representatives passed a resolution condemning Vice President Kamala Harris' handling of the southern border, with six Democrats joining all Republicans in voting for the measure.
The House of Representatives has voted along bipartisan lines to condemn Vice President Kamala Harris' handling of the U.S.' southern border, a significant rebuke from her own party as she prepares to seek the presidency in 2024.
The resolution passed 220-196, with six Democrats joining all House Republicans in voting in favor. The Democrat defectors were Reps. Jared Golden (D-Maine), Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (D-Wash.), Mary Peltola (D-Alaska), Henry Cuellar (D-Texas), Don Davis (D-N.C.), and Yadira Caraveo (D-Colo.).
Kamala Faces GOP Condemnation and Democrat Defections
Republicans have long accused Harris of failing in her role as "border czar," a task assigned to her by President Biden in 2021 to mitigate the "root causes" of illegal immigration. The vote represents a major escalation in their attacks against Harris as she gears up for a potential head-to-head race with former President Trump.
For moderate Democrats who voted to condemn Harris, it amounts to a scathing rebuke of their party's likely presidential candidate, despite dozens of left-wing lawmakers rushing to endorse her.
Kamala Faces GOP Condemnation and Democrat Defections
The resolution's passage comes as Harris faces a barrage of criticism from Republicans and some members of her own party over her handling of the border crisis. They argue that she has not taken sufficient action to address the flow of illegal immigrants and asylum seekers crossing into the United States.
In response, Harris has defended her record, saying that she has been working diligently to address the root causes of migration from Central America. She has also pointed to the Biden administration's efforts to increase funding for border security and improve processing times for asylum seekers.
Kamala Faces GOP Condemnation and Democrat Defections
However, the condemnation resolution is a clear indication that Harris' performance on border issues will continue to be a major target of Republican attacks during the 2024 presidential campaign.
The vote also highlights the challenges facing Harris as she seeks to unite Democrats behind her candidacy. While she enjoys strong support from the party's progressive wing, some moderates have expressed concerns about her handling of border issues and other topics.
Kamala Faces GOP Condemnation and Democrat Defections
As the 2024 campaign unfolds, Harris will need to navigate these political challenges while also presenting a compelling case to voters on key issues such as the economy, healthcare, and climate change.
