House Democrats Attempting to Reverse Border Policies

House Democrats running in competitive races have been advised to focus on improving border security while attributing obstructionism to the Republicans, as reported by The Wall Street Journal on Friday.

A memo from the House Democrats’ campaign arm suggests that their candidates should highlight the rejection of the bipartisan Senate deal announced in early February by GOP members.

The memo accuses Republicans of thwarting the border deal to campaign on the issue and prevent President Joe Biden from achieving a political victory. It also references polling that found the Senate deal to be popular among voters, according to the Journal.

Former President Donald Trump and many House Republicans argued that the Senate bill did not adequately address border security concerns.

Jack Pandol, a spokesperson for the House GOP’s campaign arm, stated, “If Democrats focus on the border, we say: ‘It’s your political funeral,'” as reported by the Journal.

Democrats are working to shift the narrative surrounding the migrant crisis under Biden, where record numbers of illegal migrants have crossed the southern border since he assumed office.

A recent Gallup poll revealed that immigration has remained a top concern for Americans for three consecutive months, surpassing worries about the economy and government issues.

Polls have also indicated that voters prefer presumptive Republican presidential candidate Trump over Biden on this issue, according to the Journal.

CBS News reported on Tuesday that 15 House Democrats from Minnesota and swing states like Arizona, Nevada, Pennsylvania, and Michigan urged Biden to take executive action on the US-Mexico border.

In a letter to Biden, the lawmakers urged him to “immediately take further action to restore order at the Southern border and fix our broken immigration system.”

The House Democrats’ memo cited by the Journal also highlighted Rep. Tom Suozzi’s victory in a tough special election earlier this year. Suozzi defeated Mazi Pilip after campaigning in support of the border deal.

Republicans attributed Suozzi’s win to Pilip’s lack of experience and Suozzi’s strong name recognition in the Long Island district he previously represented.

The outcome of the November election will determine which party controls the chamber, with Republicans currently holding a 217-213 majority.