Speaker of the House Mike Johnson is making his first visit to the border today, going to Eagle Pass to get a first hand look at the situation. A large contingent of Republican lawmakers are accompanying him. The visit is being hosted by Congressman Tony Gonzales, who says getting this many Congressmen together for a visit is something special. Tomorrow, Congressman Henry Cuellar and Senator Ted Cruz will visit Laredo.
On the other side of the political divide, the White House is accusing Republicans of making the crisis at the southern border worse. White House spokesman Andrew Bates argued Republicans have an "anti-border security record" because they blocked the president's proposal for border security funding. Biden's supplemental package includes financing for new border agents and other measures, but Republicans want significant policy changes to slow down the flow of migrants. Republicans meanwhile say President Biden has been "derelict in his duty" to protect the border. The back-and-forth comes as House Speaker Mike Johnson and dozens of Republican lawmakers are touring the border in Eagle Pass, Texas today, and as Senators continue negotiations to address the surge in asylum seekers.
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