U.S. Congress Unlikely to Pass Border Security Legislation in 2024, Senator Johnson's Office Says

The U.S. Congress is unlikely to pass border security legislation in 2024, according to Senator Ron Johnson's office. This comes as the Senate has approved $95 billion in aid to Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan, without including any provisions to secure the U.S. borders and address the surge of illegal immigration.

Republican congressional leaders had pledged that legislation to aid Ukraine must also include substantial parts of the Secure the Border Act, which was passed by the House but has not been brought up for a vote in the Senate. Despite warnings from national security experts about the grave dangers posed by unsecured borders, the Biden administration has not taken actions to address the crisis, and the Republican congressional leadership has failed to capitalize on opportunities to enact vital border security legislation.

Why this matters: The failure to address the border crisis in the face of its impacts on American communities would be unconscionable, according to the Federation for American Immigration Reform. The lack of action on border security legislation has far-reaching consequences for national security, public safety, and the well-being of communities across the country.

Senator Joni Ernst has repeatedly called for the passage of 'Sarah's Law' to address issues related to crimes committed by illegal immigrants, citing specific cases of young Americans who have been killed. However, she claims that Senate Democrats have blocked these efforts.

The U.S. House of Representatives has narrowly failed to pass a bill sponsored by Congressman Juan Ciscomani of southern Arizona that would have imposed criminal penalties on people accused of assisting cross-border crime, such as relaying information about the location of law enforcement or destroying a part of the border wall. The measure failed mostly along party lines in the US House, marking the latest deadlock with those opposed arguing that it did not address the full breadth of needs along the border, such as funding for asylum officers and immigration judges.

Senator Ron Johnson's office criticized the Biden administration and Senate Democrats for their handling of the border crisis, stating that the number of illegal immigrant encounters has increased significantly since Biden took office. They also alleged that the Senate has failed to hold Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas accountable, by refusing to hold an impeachment trial despite his impeachment by the House.

This is the latest border bill to stall in Congress, as lawmakers have been debating for months where to focus funding and resources at the border. The failure to pass comprehensive border security legislation in 2024 highlights the ongoing challenges and political divisions surrounding this critical issue. As the debate continues, the impacts of unsecured borders on American communities remain a pressing concern for many lawmakers and citizens alike.

Key Takeaways

• Congress unlikely to pass border security legislation in 2024.
• Senate approved $95B in aid to Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan without border security.
• Failure to address border crisis has consequences for national security and public safety.
• House bill to impose penalties on assisting cross-border crime failed mostly along party lines.
• Ongoing political divisions prevent passage of comprehensive border security legislation.