The House of Representatives passed a bipartisan resolution condemning Vice President Kamala Harris’ management of the U.S. southern border, marking the first legislative action specifically targeting Harris since she emerged as the Democrats’ presumptive 2024 presidential nominee. The measure passed with a vote of 220-196, with six Democrats joining all Republicans in supporting it.
The Democrats who voted in favour of the resolution are Reps. Jared Golden (D-Maine), Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (D-Wash.), Mary Peltola (D-Alaska), Henry Cuellar (D-Texas), Don Davis (D-N.C.), and Yadira Caraveo (D-Colo.).
Republicans have long criticized Harris for her role as “border czar,” a position she was assigned by President Biden in 2021 to address the “root causes” of illegal immigration. This condemnation becomes a focal point in GOP attacks on Harris as she prepares for a likely presidential race against former President Trump. The involvement of the six moderate Democrats represents a significant critique of Harris, even as many left-leaning lawmakers continue to support her.
During the debate on the bill, House GOP Conference Chair Elise Stefanik (R-N.Y.), who spearheaded the resolution, accused Harris of failing to address what she described as the most severe border crisis in U.S. history. “Vice President Harris has overseen failed and dangerous policies that have exacerbated this crisis,” Stefanik stated.
House Homeland Security Committee Chairman Mark Green (R-Tenn.) echoed these sentiments, suggesting that Harris’ efforts to address the root causes of the border situation were misguided. “To find the root causes, she could have just looked in the mirror,” Green remarked.
Democrats countered by accusing Republicans of using the resolution for political gain. Rep. Bennie Thompson (D-Miss.), the top Democrat on the Homeland Security Committee, criticized the resolution as a politically motivated stunt and potentially an ethics violation. “This is a second-rate attempt at election interference,” Thompson argued, claiming the resolution was based on misleading information and selective data.
House Majority Whip Tom Emmer (R-Minn.) defended the resolution, asserting that it was necessary to hold Harris accountable. “The mainstream media may try to rewrite history, but Americans know the truth. Kamala Harris is responsible for the unprecedented border situation,” Emmer told Fox News Digital.
Left-wing lawmakers opposed the resolution and argued that Harris’ role in addressing migration was not meant to include direct oversight of border security. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) criticized Republicans for what he described as fabricating the “border czar” title and using it to advance their political agenda.
This resolution marks the final vote in the House before Congress adjourns for its August recess and will reconvene after Labor Day.
