House Approves Strict GOP Bill Targeting Biden on Immigration: Details Explained
The House of Representatives has approved a Republican-backed immigration bill that aims to toughen border security while focusing on limiting Biden’s immigration policies. The legislation is introduced in response to the current administration’s relaxed immigration policy and aims to strengthen the southern border security by funding for technology, surveillance equipment, and infrastructure. The bill passed largely on party lines with a vote of 219-168.
Keywords repeated: House Approves Strict GOP Bill Targeting Biden on Immigration
What’s in the Bill?
The bill, titled the “Securing the Southern Border Act”, aims to address illegal immigration by beefing up southern border security. If enacted, the bill would provide funding to improve technology used by border agents, install surveillance equipment, and construct more border wall segments. The proposed legislation also seeks to remove incentives to illegal immigration by restricting access to government-provided welfare benefits.
The proposed bill is heavily focused on using technology to secure the border. This move comes after a widespread call to increase the Border Patrol’s use of technology to monitor the vast expanses of the U.S.-Mexico border, which would supplement the limitations of human resources.
“Promoting American Workers and Legal Immigrants Act”, which is part of the same legislation, strengthens employment verification requirements for employers and aims to reduce the exploitation of illegal immigrants in the workplace.
Immigrant rights groups have opposed the proposed bill. They have criticized the Republicans’ approach to immigration, stating that the bill will only intensify already inhumane conditions being imposed on migrants and refugees.
House Speaker Kevin McCarthy stated the bill will shore up security and border protection tools that have been lacking due to the Joe Biden Administration. His counterpart Nancy Pelosi criticized the bill stating that it is a distraction from important issues like infrastructure, jobs and healthcare.
Keywords repeated: House Approves Strict GOP Bill Targeting Biden on Immigration
Will It Be Enacted?
The passage of the bill by the House is not enough to make it law. The measure is headed to the Senate where it faces a hurdle, namely a tied split where the Vice President, Kamala Harris, has the power to weave her vote to tip the balance. Democrats have significant control in the Senate with the Vice President, who is a Democrat herself.
It is not clear if the bill will be approved by the Senate, let alone become law. The proposed bill has polarized House Republicans and the Democrats, demonstrating how disputed climate control over immigration is in U.S. politics.
If the bill passes, it would be considered a significant win for House Republicans by which they were able to establish a staunch stance on illegal immigration and restrain the president’s discretion over immigration policy. The bill would contribute to an overall crackdown on illegal immigration issues while leading to an increase in national security.
In Conclusion
The House Republicans have passed ‘Securing the Southern Border Act’, focusing on severe border security and the immigration policy of the Democratic administration. The bill seeks to upgrade technology used by border agents, install surveillance equipment, and construct more wall segments to the southern border while restricting access to government-provided welfare benefits. However, if enacted, it would be more challenging for illegal immigrants to access opportunities in the United States. The Democrats’ Vice President holds the power to tip the scale if the legislation makes it to the Senate, where it currently faces opposition. Democrats have termed it a distraction and do not agree with the explicit language regarding immigration.