Her. Josh Hawley
Joshua (Josh) David Hawley Hawley’s Upcoming Book Picked Up By Conservative Publishing House Trump Allies, Washington Insiders Helped Plan Meetings Before Capitol Breaking: Reports What Martin Luther King, at 39, Taught Me at 35 MORE (R-Mo.) Announced on Tuesday that he would keep a watch Alejandro Mayorkas
Alejandro Mayorkas This Week: Tensions Rise in Trump’s Final Days Overnight Defense: Agency Watch Dogs Investigate Response to Capitol Riots | 25,000 guards now approved for inauguration security | Troops in Afghanistan, Iraq hit 2,500 Biden, informed by federal officials about security issues related to inauguration MORE, President-elect Joe Biden
Woman accused of selling Pelosi laptop to arrested Russians Trump gets lowest job approval rating in recent days as President Trump wants to lift coronavirus travel restrictions in Europe and Brazil.choice to lead the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
Hawley, who has recently come under fire amid allegations that he played a part in the Capitol uprising early this month, made the announcement hours after the Senate Homeland Security and Government Affairs Committee closed its hearing with Mayorkas. The move is delaying the appointment of a post that Democrats have argued is critical to fulfill immediately in order to protect national security.
“Mr. Mayorkas has not sufficiently explained how he will enforce federal law and secure the southern border, given President-elect Biden’s pledge to roll back important enforcement and security measures,” Hawley said in a statement.
Just today, he declined to say he would enforce the laws Congress has already passed to secure the border wall system. Given the above, I cannot agree to skip the standard review process and speed up this nomination when there are so many questions left unanswered, ”he added.
Hawley’s opposition comes as Biden and the Democrats argue that the attacks on the Capitol are making the post a top priority. Hawley was the first senator to announce that he would vote against the certification of the 2020 election results.
His hold could block a nomination that would otherwise be expected to go through once Democrats gain control of the Senate on Wednesday. To beat hold, a cloture vote of 50 votes is required and days of talk time are consumed, complicating the process.
Mayorkas, who was previously the DHS deputy secretary under the Obama administration, did not get a Republican vote when he was confirmed in 2013.
“We are facing unprecedented challenges and threats to our national security, and our country is in dire need of a confirmed Secretary of Homeland Security on day one to protect the American people. Alejandro Mayorkas is one of the most knowledgeable homeland security experts in the field. country, ”Biden transition spokesman Sean Savett said in a statement to The Hill.
The Senate held quick confirmation votes for the DHS Secretary nominee in 2009 and 2017 so they could start on day one for good reason. Senator Hawley’s threat to disrupt historic practice and try to vacate this crucial position. is dangerous, especially in these times of overlapping crises when there is not a moment to lose. “
Hawley’s opposition stems from an exchange where lawmaker asked Mayorkas whether he would commit $ 1.4 billion in funds set aside for Trump’s border wall.
“If I may strike at the fundamental point I believe you were researching, which is, will I follow the law and carry out my responsibilities if I had the privilege of serving as Secretary of Homeland Security. And the answer is yes, I will follow the law. And what I should do is understand what the law provides with regard to the requirement for funds to build a border wall, and then see the options for ending such obligations, ”said Mayorkas.
Hawley then thanked Mayorkas for getting ‘to the heart’ of his question.
He also asked Mayorkas about Biden’s plans to give legal status to 11 million people living in the US, something Hawley said he was concerned about him “especially at this time of dire economic distress that has disproportionately weighed on Americans. from the working class ”.
Mayorkas called the movement a “path to citizenship for the individuals who have been in this country for many years, who have contributed to our communities and to the economic prosperity of this country.”
“I would have the privilege of working with Congress to pass immigration reform legislation that provides that path and provides a permanent solution to what is clearly a broken system,” he added.
Updated at 5:04 PM