In a bipartisan vote, members of the House have highlighted Vice President Harris's role in the Biden administration’s handling of the U.S. border with Mexico, passing a resolution Thursday that condemns her performance in the job. “The result of her inaction has been record-high illegal crossings, overwhelmed communities, and an evisceration of the rule of law,” said House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-Louisiana).
H.Res.1371 echoes an argument that former President Donald Trump has brought up against Harris since she rose to become his major opponent as the likely Democratic presidential nominee. All House Republicans and six Democrats in tough reelection races voted for the resolution. (Read the resolution here)
The six Democrats who voted for the resolution – Reps. Yadira Caraveo of Colorado, Henry Cuellar of Texas, Don Davis of North Carolina, Jared Golden of Maine, Mary Peltola of Alaska and Marie Gluesenkamp Perez of Washington state – are all from battleground districts and had previously been critical of Biden on the border.
'Czar' means you're responsible
President Joe Biden tasked Harris early in his administration with addressing what he called "the root causes of migration." Illegal border crossings eventually became a major political liability for Biden when they reached historic levels – but it remains to be seen whether the border will become a political liability for Harris as it was for Biden.
But Republicans say Harris didn't do enough to clamp down on illegal immigration in her role as “border czar.” One of them – Rep. Andy Biggs (Arizona) – said regardless the title, the result was the same.
"She was the border czar. That's what they called her. Everybody called her that," he said on Washington Watch. "… And if you don't like border czar, she was appointed to lead the border effort. She was the manager, she was the director … whatever you want to call it. The bottom line is still the same: She failed."
In 2021, President Biden tapped Harris to "lead" the response to border challenges – as stated by The Associated Press. That fits the definition of "czar," which is a person appointed by the government to advise on and coordinate policy in a particular area.
Meanwhile, the Obama-Biden administration was known for having several "czars," including then-border czar Alan Bersin. Politico used that term in 2009 as part of a list of 16 Obama czars.
On the other hand …
In contrast, a border enforcement advocacy organization is giving high marks to the man Donald Trump selected to be his running mate. JD Vance has been in the Senate since January 2023 – but during his brief tenure he has taken a strong stance on immigration, which has been one of Trump's hallmark campaign issues.
"When it comes to immigration, [Vance] has consistently sided with enforcement. He has opposed things like amnesty for illegal aliens," says Ira Mehlman, media director for the Federation for American Immigration Reform.
"And look, he is not at the top of the ticket," Mehlman continues. "He is at the bottom of the ticket – and he is going to take his marching orders from the guy who is running for president. So, you can assume like any other vice president, he would carry out the duties of the administration which he serves."
Still, Mehlman says Vance has introduced several bills while in the Senate – such as the No Obamacare For Illegal Aliens Act, the Timely Departure Act, and the Withholding Illegal Revenue Entering Drug Markets (WIRED) Act.
"These are the sorts of bills that eliminate incentives for people to come to the United States illegally, [and] that alleviates burdens on the American public," says the FAIR spokesman. "Certainly, one of the concerns of the American people is just the sheer costs of dealing with illegal immigration."
Mehlman says Vance also has taken an active approach to conducting congressional oversight of federal agencies and holding the Biden administration accountable.
The Associated Press contributed to this article.
