Staff Reports
Rep. Tony Gonzales (R-TX) addressed the migrant crisis at the southern border by sending a message to President Joe Biden during his appearance on CBS News Face the Nation. Gonzales shared his perspective on the bipartisan Senate border bill and expressed frustration over the lack of communication between the Biden administration and House leadership. The Texas Congressional District 23 representative emphasized the importance of looking to the House for potential solutions to the border crisis, as his district spans a significant portion of the Texas-Mexico border.
Tony Gonzales tells Biden to ‘look to the House’ for solution on border crisis https://t.co/GcfH38sBzd
— Washington Examiner (@dcexaminer) May 27, 2024
Gonzales suggested that President Biden should shift his focus from the Senate to the House when seeking long-term solutions for securing the border. He highlighted the potential for action in the House, particularly referencing HR-2 as a positive starting point. According to Gonzales, the lack of substantial discussions with House leaders reflects the Biden administration’s approach to addressing the border crisis.
Furthermore, Gonzales criticized the Biden administration’s emphasis on engaging with Senate leadership regarding the bipartisan border bill while neglecting to involve House leadership in the conversations. He questioned the administration’s decision to prioritize the Senate over the House and noted the absence of attention given to the matter in the House, contrasting it with previous approaches to addressing similar issues.
Gonzales highlighted the House’s role in formulating potential solutions for the border crisis, implying that the administration’s disengagement with the House limits the effectiveness of efforts to address the situation. Additionally, the representative acknowledged the House’s recent lack of productivity in voting on border-related legislation, underscoring the necessity for meaningful discussions and action to find a resolution.
In response to Senate majority leader Sen. Chuck Schumer’s decision to bring the bipartisan Senate border bill up for a second vote, Gonzales conveyed skepticism about the intent behind the move. He echoed sentiments voiced by Sen. James Lankford (R-OK), who characterized the vote as a mere political display rather than a genuine effort to address the issue. Gonzales highlighted concerns about the bill becoming a prop and underscored the importance of substantive action to address the border crisis.
Gonzales’s remarks reflect both his frustration with the lack of communication between the Biden administration and House leadership on border-related matters and his skepticism about the effectiveness of the Senate border bill. His emphasis on the House’s potential role in addressing the crisis aligns with his conservative perspective and underscores the need for meaningful dialogue and action to address the southern border situation.
