Sherrill Pushes for Improved Border Security and Comprehensive Immigration Reform, Urges House Speaker to Take Action
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congresswoman Mikie Sherrill and a group of colleagues from the New Democrat Coalition urged House Speaker Mike Johnson to take comprehensive, bipartisan action to improve security at the Southern Border and reform our nation’s broken immigration system. This effort comes as House Republicans continue to delay meaningful action and instead use immigration as a political wedge issue – exacerbating the challenges at the border and in communities across the country.
“We have repeatedly called for bipartisan solutions to meaningfully address the challenges presented by increased migration, the flow of illicit fentanyl through our ports of entry, and the backlog of visa applications and asylum cases in our immigration courts,” wrote the lawmakers. “It is unfortunate that you and members of your Conference have described the situation as a winning political issue, and suggested that you would wait to act on the border until a Republican president is elected. This is unacceptable. We respectfully urge you to put the American people and our nation’s security ahead of petty partisan politics.”
In October, President Biden submitted a national security supplemental request to aid our allies in Ukraine, Israel, and the Indo-Pacific and also strengthen security at the Southern Border. While Senate Democrats and Republicans have been negotiating in good faith, former President Trump and extreme MAGA Republicans have urged Speaker Johnson to delay addressing these issues and refuse to make a deal until after the 2024 election.
Read the full letter below:
Dear Speaker Johnson,
The New Democrat Coalition has continually recognized the urgency of the situation at the
border. In May, we called for comprehensive immigration reform and increased funding to
secure the southern border. In July, we urged the Biden Administration to request supplemental
resources to bolster border operations. In November, we implored you to bring the
Administration’s national security supplemental to the floor for a vote. And we have repeatedly
called for bipartisan solutions to meaningfully address the challenges presented by increased
migration, the flow of illicit fentanyl through our ports of entry, and the backlog of visa
applications and asylum cases in our immigration courts.
That is why we were dismayed by your comments this week that you refuse to even consider a
bipartisan solution to securing our border or bring to the floor the national security supplemental.
It is unfortunate that you and members of your Conference have described the situation as a
winning political issue, and suggested that you would wait to act on the border until a
Republican president is elected. This is unacceptable. We respectfully urge you to put the
American people and our nation’s security ahead of petty partisan politics.
It is long past time to negotiate in good faith on a bipartisan solution to humanely secure our
southern border and reform our immigration system. We appreciate your consideration of this
request and remain ready to work together to address this critical issue.
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