Columbia, SC — President Joe Biden said Saturday night that he would close the U.S.-Mexico border if Congress sent him a measure to sign to save a border deal that would unleash money for Ukraine.
At a political rally in South Carolina, Biden claimed he would close the border "right now" if Congress supported the agreement to quell GOP criticism of his border management. The GOP-controlled House may not approve the framework, which Senate Democrats and Republicans have not yet agreed on.
A bipartisan bill would be good for America and help fix our broken immigration system and allow speedy access for those who deserve to be here, and Congress needs to get it done,” Biden said.
“It will also give me emergency authority to close the border until it is under control as president. If that bill were law today, I'd close the border and fix it immediately."
Congress is negotiating an agreement that will shut down the border if 5,000 migrants cross illegally daily. Last year, several one-day totals topped 10,000.
Former President Donald Trump has urged Republicans to end discussions for weeks. He doesn't want to give Biden a win on an issue that fueled his 2016 campaign and one he intends to utilize to win again. After Trump's warnings to conservative senators intensified, negotiations began to break down.
Biden said on Friday night that the accord would give him “a new emergency authority” to seal the border. He said, “And if given that authority, I would use it the day I sign the bill into law.”
t was a bold declaration from a Democratic president that shocked immigrant activists who say his policies are not progressive.
STAY TURNED FOR DEVELOPMENT