WASHINGTON, D.C. – This week, in the House Appropriations Committee, Rep. Michael Cloud (R-TX) questioned Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas on the Biden administration’s ongoing enabling of the southern border crisis – as well as their false statements on Congress’ responsibility.  

The hearing was part of the Appropriations Subcommittee on Homeland Security, where Rep. Cloud is a member, focusing on the DHS’ handling of the southern border. Rep. Cloud focused his questioning on the lie recently pushed by the Biden administration that they need Congress to act, or pass a new law, in order for Biden to secure the southern border. This is false.

In one particular exchange, Rep. Cloud pressed Mayorkas on what authorities – if any – Congress had removed from President Biden or the DHS since President Trump left office and the Biden administration took over. Mayorkas repeatedly refused to answer, until Rep. Cloud finally pointed to the truth: Congress has removed NONE of the border authorities that existed before President Biden. This was to highlight the fact that the issue is not President Biden’s lack of authority – and in fact, Biden not only has the same authority President Trump had, but Biden even has more border security resources available to him than President Trump did.

The true issue is not a matter of authority but a matter of choice. Joe Biden and Alejandro Mayorkas could secure the border, if they wanted to. They have instead chosen to flagrantly disregard the law and create a de facto open borders situation.

“Your department is tasked with protecting the homeland, and you have done more at [the southern border] to prioritize processing than you have protection,” Rep. Cloud told the Secretary.

Rep. Cloud released the following statement on his questioning:

“Today’s exchange highlighted why I voted to impeach Secretary Mayorkas, and why the Senate should immediately try and convict him – because Mayorkas, Biden, and the Biden White House have taken deliberate steps to decimate America’s security at the southern border. Perhaps most importantly, as we highlighted today, their claim that they need new authority from Congress is simply a lie – they have every tool at their disposal that President Trump had when America had a far more secure border. Biden and his White House chose this path. They stopped wall construction, ended the successful ‘Remain in Mexico’ policy, reinstated catch-and-release, and ended Title 42, among other terrible policies that tied the hands of border patrol and emboldened bad actors seeking to take advantage of our country. Because of their actions, my state of Texas is in grave danger – as is the entire country. The Senate should remove the Secretary from his post as soon as possible.

To watch the full exchange, click HERE.

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