White House: Biden to veto border security bill if passed by Congress.

President Biden Threatens Veto of Border Security Bill

The White House has announced that President Joe Biden would veto a House Republican-led measure aimed at improving border security if it is approved by Congress. The Secure the Border Act of 2023, or H.R.2, would require construction on the U.S.–Mexico border wall to resume, impose a minimum level of U.S. Border Patrol agents, and require a plan to enhance border security.

Republicans Push for Border Security

Republicans are pushing for the bill, which they say would “provide real, thoughtful solutions to restore order at the southwest border, enhance our national security, and most importantly, protect unaccompanied minors—something that the administration has refused to acknowledge and failed to act upon,” says Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart (R-Fla.), a co-sponsor along with Rep. Tom McClintock (R-Calif.)

Biden Threatens Veto

However, the White House has stated that President Biden would veto the bill if it is sent to his desk. The White House Office of Management and Budget said in a statement that the bill “does nothing to address the root causes of migration, reduces humanitarian protections, and restricts lawful pathways, which are critical alternatives to unlawful entry.”

Presidential Vetoes

Historically, some presidents have rarely vetoed while in power; others have vetoed hundreds of bills. President Biden vetoed no bills in the 177th Congress, in which Democrats controlled both legislative chambers. He has already issued two vetoes since Republicans gained control of the House in January—one on water regulation, the other on an investment rule—and the House failed to override either of them.

What’s in the Bill

The 213-page bill requires the Biden administration to, within seven days after the bill is enacted, resume border wall construction projects that were underway or being planned for prior to Jan. 20, 2021, the day Biden took office. It also requires that once a year—until the border wall construction “has been completed”—a plan for finishing the wall, including cost estimates. The bill would also stipulate that at least 900 miles of the border be covered by a wall.

• Another required plan would include an analysis of security risks both at and between ports of entry at the northern and southern borders and identification of technology that could be acquired to address the risks.
• The technology program is estimated to cost at least $100 million.

Republicans control the House, enabling them to approve the bill with no Democrat support. However, Democrats hold a 51–49 majority in the Senate. Even with support from some Democrats, it would be difficult to overcome a veto, which requires a two-thirds vote in each chamber. Congress has only overruled two vetoes since 2008.

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