Border security shouldn't be a partisan issue

While the issue of border security is one that affects all Americans, the cause and effect are often argued along party lines. Republicans blame the Biden administration for ending President Trump-era rules that appeared to have dramatically slowed southern border illegal crossings.

Mayorkas does have the responsibility of making sure regulations and procedures are followed. But there are plenty of arguments over whether that’s being done, whether Border Patrol has the needed resources and just where the blame lies.

President Biden, Mayorkas and Senate Democrats blame Republicans for not supporting a border security bill that was indeed endorsed by Border Patrol agents. However, it’s abundantly clear that even if resources are an issue, there has been an obvious hesitancy to enforce the laws on the books.

We believe most people agree there is blame to be shared by all of our leaders in Washington.

“Illegal immigration across our southern border is the most dangerous threat facing our country today, and President Biden is responsible for allowing the situation to get out of hand,” U.S. Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., said. “However, my Republican friends in Congress also bear the responsibility of making it worse by refusing to even vote for one of the strongest, most sensible border security bills in decades that was endorsed by the 18,000 Border Patrol agents fighting every day to secure our country.”

Manchin joined with Democrats in voting to dismiss the impeachment charges against Mayorkas, citing constitutional concerns.

It is important to note that the impeachment of a Cabinet-level secretary hasn’t occurred in 150 years and does raise constitutional issues.

But we see the point of West Virginia’s other U.S. senator, Shelley Moore Capito, who joined other Republicans in calling for an impeachment trial to be held.

“It is the constitutional duty given to the U.S. Senate to try all impeachments,” Capito said. “That’s why the Senate has held some form of a trial for every impeachment in our history, unless the federal officer resigned prior to a trial. This time should have been no different.

“I am disappointed in Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and Senate Democrats for their inability to follow the Senate rules. It is truly unprecedented. Even the presiding officer, Democrat Senator Patty Murray, said this move would set a precedent, which could have long-term ramifications.”

Capito has been highly critical of the handling of the southern border and believes the Biden administration has only made the matter worse.

“Secretary Mayorkas has repeatedly failed to uphold the law and secure our southern border. The actions by all Democrats to prevent the Senate from holding a trial and hearing evidence is not only unconscionable, it’s a disservice to the American people who elected us to do our jobs and uphold our constitutional duty,” she said.

Despite Mayorkas’ questionable performance in his key role, it is equally questionable whether his actions — or inaction — rose to the level of the “high crimes or misdemeanors” required to convict.

However, we believe much could be gained by congressional hearings conducted in bipartisan fashion to truly get to the root causes of the problems at the southern border. This issue is paramount to national security and is too important to just be used as political tools by both parties in an election year.

It is well past time for our congressional leaders to find solutions to ensure national security. Impeachment likely wasn’t the best path to that goal, but neither is simply dismissing the allegations of mismanagement that critics level at Mayorkas.

Congressional public hearings should be convened immediately, and Mayorkas and others should have to answer for the immigration system’s failures.