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Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) is urging tight border security to be included in President Biden’s budget request to Congress, alongside support for Israel and Ukraine.
McConnell spoke out in a statement released on the Senate floor on Wednesday, arguing that strong border security is “fundamentally important” to the well-being of both the United States and its allies.
His statement read: “As we review President Biden’s funding request, I urge him to make adequate investments in our nation’s security—including smart, effective border security. We also need to strengthen our support for Israel, Ukraine, and our other allies and partners who play a vital role in protecting democratic values and international security.”
McConnell has enjoyed a symbiotic relationship with President Biden, with the Leader speaking out in support of several aspects of the President’s agenda already. Most recently, the two worked together to pass the $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan, which McConnell had initially opposed.
McConnell’s call for tighter border security comes at a time when the United States is dealing with a sharp uptick in illegal border crossings. The Department of Homeland Security has reported that there were more than 172,000 apprehensions of illegal immigrants at the U.S.-Mexico border in February, up more than 70 percent from January.
McConnell and other Republicans have pointed to Biden’s immigration policies, particularly his administration’s commitment to reuniting separated families and halting deportations for some undocumented immigrants, as the reason why the numbers have increased so dramatically.
Though Biden’s budget request does not include any additional money for border security, the President has since said he supports an increase in funding in order to help combat the rising illegal immigration numbers. Immigration activists, meanwhile, have also urged the White House to focus on long-term reforms that would bring relief to people facing deportation rather than investing in more border enforcement.