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In a bipartisan move, the House of Representatives passed a resolution on Thursday condemning Vice President Kamala Harris's handling of the border situation.

The resolution, which saw six House Democrats join Republicans in support, reflects growing dissatisfaction with Harris's approach to border management, particularly among those in vulnerable districts facing re-election.

The resolution was introduced and expedited to a vote. It comes after Harris secured her position as the Democratic presidential nominee, following President Joe Biden's decision to step aside.

This swift political maneuver underscores the contentious nature of border security discussions in the current political climate.

Despite never holding the formal title of "border czar," Harris was tasked early in the Biden administration with addressing the root causes of migration, a role that has drawn significant bipartisan scrutiny.

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A Bipartisan Effort

Republicans have long viewed the southern border as a potential vulnerability for the Democratic Party, and the resolution's passage highlights this point of contention. The language used by Republicans in the resolution was notably political, with Republican Rep. Elise Stefanik of New York, who sponsored the bill, stating:

"Let me be clear: Harris and every elected Democrat owns this historic border crisis that has turned every community into a border community. It is time that we return to President Donald Trump's border security policies that put the safety of American citizens first."

The six Democrats who joined Republicans in supporting the resolution are:

• Yadira Caraveo of Colorado
• Henry Cuellar of Texas
• Don Davis of North Carolina
• Marie Gluesenkamp Perez of Washington
• Jared Golden of Maine
• Mary Peltola of Alaska

Most of these Democrats represent conservative-leaning districts or face tough reelection battles this November, indicating that political survival may have influenced their decision.

The Resolution's Content

The bill outlines several key points of contention regarding Harris's performance as the "border czar," although she never officially held this title. It states that on March 24, 2021, President Biden tasked Vice President Kamala Harris with addressing the "root causes" of illegal immigration into the United States. However, it took Harris 93 days before she visited the border on June 25, 2021.

Critics argue that neither Harris nor Biden has engaged in direct dialogue with former United States Border Patrol Chief Raul Ortiz or the current United States Border Patrol Chief Jason Owens, which they claim reflects a lack of commitment to addressing border issues effectively.

Staggering Statistics Highlight Concerns

The resolution highlights alarming statistics that have fueled criticism of the current administration's handling of the border crisis:

• Since Biden and Harris took office, there have been over 9.7 million illegal immigrant encounters nationwide.
• An estimated 2 million "known gotaways" have evaded the United States Border Patrol, a number surpassing that of the last decade combined.
• In May 2024 alone, there were 170,723 illegal immigrant encounters at the U.S. southern border, marking a 185 percent increase from the average encounter total under President Trump.
• This month marks the 39th consecutive month with higher monthly illegal immigrant encounters than any month during the Trump administration.

The resolution also raises concerns about individuals with violent criminal histories entering the country and the potential threat posed by over 50 illegal immigrants with ties to ISIS who have reportedly been released within the United States.

In a further alarming statistic, 2024 has seen a record-breaking 31,077 Communist Chinese nationals encountered at the southwest border, raising questions about the broader implications of the current border policies.

Economic Impact

The resolution does not shy away from addressing the financial burden of the border crisis, citing that it costs the United States approximately $150.7 billion each year, translating to an annual cost of $1,156 for each taxpayer.

Documents released by the Committee on Homeland Security Republicans allegedly show that the Biden administration has secretly flown over 400,000 illegal immigrants into the U.S., further fueling criticism and concern about transparency and accountability.

A Divisive Political Issue

The resolution concludes with a stark claim that "Border Czar Harris’s far-left Democrat open border policies are to blame for this historic crisis."

As the 2024 elections approach, the handling of border issues remains a contentious and divisive political issue, with the bipartisan resolution serving as a symbol of the deep-seated challenges and differing perspectives that define this critical national debate.