Vulnerable Democrats Reverse Course on Border Security

Despite having previously dismissed border concerns, five vulnerable Democrats are now calling for action to secure the southern border.

Following President Biden's signing of a $95 billion foreign aid package to Ukraine and Israel, five Democrats have issued a joint statement calling for Congress and the President to address the crisis at the southern border. The Democrats in question are Representatives Jared Golden of Maine, Marie Gluesenkamp Perez of Washington, Mary Peltola of Alaska, Vicente Gonzalez of Texas, and Don Davis of North Carolina.

Notably, these five Democrats have a history of opposing border security measures. They voted against the Secure the Border Act of 2023, which aimed to expand the crimes that make someone ineligible for asylum, limit eligibility for asylum to those arriving at ports of entry, and create additional penalties for visa overstay. They also voted against two Republican-led efforts to impeach Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, who has been criticized by many for his handling of the migrant crisis at the southern border.

However, the five Democrats have recently changed their tune, expressing concern about the border crisis. Gluesenkamp Perez, who has been particularly outspoken in her criticism of the Biden administration's border policy, stated that "President Biden has failed to end the crisis at our Southern Border." She also criticized Republicans for their focus on impeaching Mayorkas, arguing that "he doesn't set policy, he implements it."

Gonzalez, another Democrat who has previously downplayed the border crisis, admitted that he was "wrong" about the impact of lifting Title 42, which allowed American officials to bar migrants from entering the country during the COVID-19 pandemic. He now acknowledges the need for action to secure the southern border.

Davis, who voted against the Secure the Border Act but later supported H.R. 3602, a bipartisan bill aimed at addressing the border crisis, stated that his "votes speak for themselves." He declined to comment directly on Biden's responsibility for the border crisis.

The reversal in stance by these five Democrats highlights the growing political pressure on the Biden administration to address the crisis at the southern border. With the midterm elections approaching, vulnerable Democrats are likely facing increasing pressure from constituents to take a more proactive approach to border security.