President Joe Biden said that the southern border hasn’t been secure for the “last 10 years,” a response he gave before addressing a bipartisan group of mayors at the White House on Friday.
When asked by Fox News White House Correspondent Jacqui Heinrich if the U.S.-Mexico border is secure, Biden said, “No, it’s not.”
“I haven’t believed that for the last 10 years, and I’ve said it for the last 10 years. Give me the money.”
Biden’s evaluation of the state of surging migration at the border comes as he seeks the passage of a supplemental spending package that is currently stuck in Congress. The legislation would include border measures that would satisfy the demands of Republicans in Congress, who have stalled the funding that includes money for Ukraine, a priority of the president, to defend itself in its war against Russia.
The president hopes that the Senate forges a border deal next, but the legislation would have a tougher time passing in the lower chamber where Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.), dealing with increased pressure from House Republican hardliners, is inclined to reject the bipartisan package.
“I believe we need significant policy changes, including changes in our asylum system, to ensure we have the authorities we need to control the border,” Biden said in his speech on Friday. “I’m ready to act.”
GOP senators argued that by using the Ukraine supplemental spending, they could leverage and ultimately get some border provisions done. But Johnson, who is dealing with a slim majority in the House that is already rumoring to potentially oust him, faces another roadblock — former President Trump. Trump said on Wednesday that he expects Johnson to only strike a deal that is “PERFECT ON THE BORDER.”
Biden, in this speech on Friday, questioned if the GOP-led House is ready to act and “solve” the problem, but emphasized that he is ready to deal with it.
“Now the question is for the speaker and House Republicans,” Biden said. “Are they ready to act as well? They have to choose if they want to solve a problem or keep weaponizing me to score political points against the president. I’m ready to solve the problem. I really am. Massive changes. And I mean it sincerely.”