Speaker Mike Johnson to Visit Southern Border Amid Criticism of Biden Administration's Policies

Speaker of the House Mike Johnson is set to travel to the southern border on Thursday, aiming to address ongoing criticisms of the Biden administration's border policies. His visit will include a press conference at the "Whiskey 8" border fence in San Ysidro, California, alongside Republican Rep. Darrell Issa. Johnson's office confirmed that he will also tour U.S. Customs and Border Protection facilities in the area, emphasizing the Republican perspective on border security failures under the current administration. During the press conference, Johnson is expected to highlight the recently passed SAVE Act, which seeks to prohibit noncitizens from voting in elections. The issue of border security and immigration is particularly salient as voters prepare for the upcoming presidential election, where former President Donald Trump is anticipated to face off against Vice President Kamala Harris, the presumptive Democratic nominee. Recent statistics indicate that San Diego has experienced the highest number of border encounters in the U.S., although these figures have dropped by 60% following new asylum restrictions implemented by the Biden administration earlier this summer. Johnson's visit coincides with the House's approval of a resolution condemning Harris' border policies, which saw some Democrats in vulnerable races siding with Republicans. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries criticized the resolution as "fake and fraudulent," asserting that Harris was never officially designated as the border czar. Johnson's last border visit occurred in January 2024, when he led a Republican delegation to the Eagle Pass, Texas, port of entry.