WASHINGTON — The U.S. House voted mostly along party lines in approving a Republican-backed immigration and border security bill that Democrats say won’t get any further than that.
Biden has vowed to veto the package if it lands on his desk, and Senate Leader Chuck Schumer said he has no interest in considering the legislation in his chamber.
Still, House Republicans made the measure a priority. Conservatives said they wanted to send a strong message about the crisis at the southern border that has been made worse by the end of a policy implemented during COVID-19 that allowed migrants seeking asylum to be turned away.
“This Administration’s reckless and ineffective immigration policies have led to complete chaos, and with the expiration of Title 42 mere hours away, this crisis will only worsen in the coming days,” U.S. Rep. Rick Allen, R-Augusta, said in a statement after the vote. “Today, with the passage of H.R. 2, House Republicans are delivering on our promise to keep our nation safe by voting to address this Biden-inflicted disaster.”
The measure was approved 219-213 with all Democrats and two Republicans opposed. Georgia’s delegation split strictly along party lines with all nine GOP lawmakers in favor and all five Democrats against.
The two Republicans who voted “no” — Kentucky’s Thomas Massie and California’s John Duarte — expressed concerns about language in the bill requiring businesses to electronically verify that employees have legal clearance to work in the United States. Several other Republicans also took issue with the e-verify component, which would greatly affect the agriculture industry, but most voted in favor of the measure after 11th-hour tweaks were made.
The bill also would provide new funding for the construction of a border wall, increase the number of Border Patrol agents, and make it tougher for immigrants to claim asylum.
While Republicans celebrated the bill’s passage, Democrats said it showed conservatives were not serious about working together to create a bipartisan agreement to address the issues. Rep. Hank Johnson, D-Lithonia, said the GOP legislation “threatens not only our values but our economy as well.”
“They are choosing demonization over diplomacy and fear over facts,” he said in a tweet.
HOW THEY VOTED ON H.R. 2, the Immigration and border security package
“Yes”
U.S. Rep. Rick Allen, R-Augusta
U.S. Rep. Buddy Carter, R-Pooler
U.S. Rep. Andrew Clyde, R-Athens
U.S. Rep. Mike Collins, R-Jackson
U.S. Rep. Drew Ferguson, R-The Rock
U.S. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Rome
U.S. Rep. Barry Loudermilk, R-Cassville
U.S. Rep. Rich McCormick, R-Suwanee
U.S. Rep. Austin Scott, R-Tifton
“No”
U.S. Rep. Sanford Bishop, D-Albany
U.S. Rep. Hank Johnson, D-Lithonia
U.S. Rep. Lucy McBath, D-Marietta
U.S. Rep. David Scott, D-Atlanta
U.S. Rep. Nikema Williams, D-Atlanta
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