GOP leaders unveil immigration bill without RINO Crenshaw’s input.

House Republicans Introduce Landmark Border Security and Immigration Bill

The GOP leadership has debuted a 213-page border security and immigration bill that they insist will “end the crisis and restore sanity” if enacted. The Secure the Border Act of 2023 is comprised of approximately 20 bills that the Republican-led Homeland Security, Judiciary, and Foreign Affairs committees passed in April. The legislation aims to address the ongoing border crisis and includes measures such as supporting the Border Patrol, investing in technology, and ending the administration’s catch-and-release policies.

Challenges Ahead for GOP Leadership

The party faces new challenges of getting members on board ahead of a floor vote next week. House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) introduced the bill on Tuesday, along with House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-LA), House Majority Whip Tom Emmer (R-MN), and House Republican Conference Chairwoman Elise Stefanik (R-NY). However, the bill excludes demands from Rep. Dan Crenshaw (R-TX), a former Navy SEAL who served five tours overseas, who stated that he would not support the bill in a floor vote if it did not address the cartels in a significant way.

Cartels Mentioned in the Bill

Cartels are mentioned nearly a dozen times but only on two pages and in reference to a report that the bill would mandate Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas and Secretary of State Antony Blinken conduct within 60 days of passage on the idea of labeling cartels as foreign terrorist organizations. The legislation doesn’t include Crenshaw’s Declaring War on Cartels Act, which would have drastically expanded the U.S. government’s ability to go after cross-border organized crime rings, known as cartels.

Co-Sponsors of the Bill

House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan (R-OH), House Homeland Security Committee Chairman Mark Green (R-TN), and House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Michael McCaul (R-TX) were listed as co-sponsors. Rep. Tony Gonzales (R-TX), a former holdout involved in talks with leadership and committee chairmen in the lead-up to Tuesday, expressed satisfaction with the bill.

Final Thoughts

The Secure the Border Act of 2023 is a significant step towards addressing the ongoing border crisis. While it may not satisfy all demands, it includes measures that aim to restore sanity, safety, and security at the borders. The GOP leadership faces challenges in getting members on board, but with co-sponsors and support from Rep. Gonzales, the bill has a good chance of passing.