“Rushed and secret negotiations with Democrats who want an open border and who caused the current crisis will not secure the border,†the senators wrote.
WASHINGTON – Senator Mike Braun joined a letter with 14 of his Senate GOP colleagues requesting a meeting of the Conference the week of January 8, 2024 to discuss the negotiations with President Biden and Senate Democrats regarding border security.
The letter also notes that the process should be open and transparent, because “[r]ushed and secret negotiations with Democrats who want an open border and who caused the current crisis will not secure the border.â€
The American people are broadly in support of taking action to fix the southern border crisis. A Wall Street Journal poll last week found 64% of Americans regardless of party affiliation disapprove of President Biden’s handling of the southern border. In another Wall Street Journal poll, Americans noted the southern border and illegal immigration as the second most important issue in the country behind the economy.
Senator Braun was joined on this letter by Senators Ron Johnson (R-Wis), Mike Lee (R-Utah), Rick Scott (R-Fla.), J.D. Vance (R-Ohio), Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), Tommy Tuberville (R-Ala.), Josh Hawley (R-Mo.), Ted Budd (R-N.C.), Jim Risch (R-Idaho.), Roger Marshall, M.D. (R-Kan.), Ted Cruz (R-Texas), Eric Schmitt (R-Mo.), Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), and Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.).
The full text of the letter can be found below.
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December 17, 2023
The Honorable John Barrasso
Chairman
Senate Republican Conference
Dear Senator Barrasso:
We write to request that you call a meeting of the Conference to discuss Senate negotiations on securing the border. Rushed and secret negotiations with Democrats who want an open border and who caused the current crisis will not secure the border. The American public deserves an open and transparent process which cannot occur until the House returns the week of January 8, 2024. Accordingly, we request this Conference be held the week of January 8th, but not before.
