Six House Democrats vote with Republicans to criticize Kamala Harris for border job
Vice President Kamala Harris has come under fire from the House of Representatives for her handling of the U.S. southern border, marking the first piece of legislation targeting her since she became the Democrats’ presumptive 2024 nominee. The House voted along bipartisan lines, with six Democrats joining the Republicans in condemning Harris. The resolution passed with a vote of 220-196.
The House Democrats who broke ranks and voted for the resolution are Reps. Jared Golden, D-Maine; Marie Gluesenkamp Perez, D-Wash.; Mary Peltola, D-Alaska; Henry Cuellar, D-Texas; Don Davis, D-N.C.; and Yadira Caraveo, D-Colo. This bipartisan support for the condemnation of Harris highlights the growing concerns within the party regarding her performance.
For years, Republicans have been critical of Harris, accusing her of failing in her role as the “border czar” tasked by President Biden to address the root causes of illegal immigration in 2021. The GOP has capitalized on this issue, making it a cornerstone of their attacks against Harris as she prepares for an anticipated showdown with former President Trump in the 2024 election.
The six moderate Democrats who voted to condemn Harris have sent a clear message about their dissatisfaction with their party’s likely presidential candidate, despite many left-wing lawmakers endorsing her. The rift within the Democratic Party over Harris’ handling of the border crisis is palpable, with some members choosing to prioritize accountability over party loyalty.
During the debate on the resolution, House GOP Conference Chair Elise Stefanik, R-N.Y., accused Harris of implementing “failed and dangerous policies” as the border czar, which she claimed led to the most catastrophic border crisis in U.S. history. House Homeland Security Committee Chairman Mark Green, R-Tenn., echoed these sentiments, implying that Harris had failed in her duty to address the root causes of the crisis.
Meanwhile, Democrats argued that the Republicans’ motivations were purely political, accusing them of using the resolution as a campaign tactic. Rep. Bennie Thompson, D-Miss., criticized the bill as an attempt at election interference, alleging that the Republicans were misusing House resources for their political agenda.
Despite the intense debate and heated exchanges, some lawmakers noted that Harris’ primary focus was on addressing the root causes of migration, rather than directly overseeing border security and operations. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., dismissed the notion of Harris being the border czar, asserting that Republicans had fabricated the title to suit their narrative.
The resolution condemning Harris marks the House’s final vote before Congress adjourns for the month of August. Lawmakers are expected to reconvene after Labor Day to continue legislative proceedings. The contentious nature of the debate surrounding Harris’ role in tackling the border crisis underscores the deep ideological divides present within the political landscape.
