GOP Ramps Up Attacks On Kamala

House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) is making a pivotal visit to the southern border in San Ysidro, California, to advance the Republican agenda on election integrity and criticize the Biden administration’s handling of immigration. This visit underscores a strategic shift by Republicans now that President Joe Biden has withdrawn from the 2024 presidential race, focusing attention on Vice President Kamala Harris, who has been dubbed the “border czar” by critics.

At 8:15 p.m. EDT, Speaker Johnson will hold a press conference with Rep. Darrell Issa (R-CA) near the Whiskey 8 border fence. Johnson’s itinerary also includes a tour of U.S. Customs and Border Protection facilities at the San Ysidro Port of Entry and the Imperial Beach locations. The area has been a focal point for illegal crossings, particularly in the San Diego region, which has seen a surge in border activity.

The significance of California in the upcoming elections cannot be overstated. With key swing seats up for grabs, this state could be pivotal in determining control of the House. For Republicans, this presents an opportunity to challenge Harris directly, leveraging her ties to California—where she previously served as a U.S. senator, attorney general, and prosecutor—to question her role in the current immigration policy crisis.

This visit follows a recent vote by Republicans and a handful of Democrats to formally condemn Harris as the “border czar,” a title critics argue she never officially held. Democrats have denounced this move as a political ploy, with House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) labeling it as a product of “extreme MAGA Republicans” attempting to distract from more substantive issues. Democratic Caucus Chairman Pete Aguilar (D-CA) dismissed the resolution as political theater, suggesting it reflects Republican frustration and a lack of a coherent agenda.

Speaker Johnson has criticized Harris, stating she shares responsibility for the current immigration situation, which he believes has worsened under her watch. His last visit to the border was in January, where he led a delegation of 64 Republicans to the Eagle Pass Port of Entry in Texas. The House has since passed the Secure the Border Act, aimed at enhancing border security, but partisan tensions have stalled broader legislative progress.

Additionally, the press conference will highlight the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility Act, a recent House-passed bill aimed at preventing noncitizens from voting in federal elections. Introduced by Johnson and Rep. Chip Roy (R-TX), this legislation reflects ongoing concerns about election integrity, a topic that has gained renewed focus as the November elections approach.