House Republicans will be in California on Friday for a field hearing, bringing their 2024 election campaign message about Democrats' handling of the border to Vice President Kamala Harris' home turf.
The House Judiciary Committee hearing “The Biden-Harris Border Crisis: California Perspectives” is being held in Santee, California, a city in eastern San Diego County.
Republican lawmakers see immigration as a winning issue this election season as a California Democrat strives to win the White House. They have long attacked Biden for his border policies and have extended that criticism to Harris, particularly since she became the nominee.
Rep. Darrell Issa (R-Bonsall) will host the hearing, which begins at 9 a.m. at Santee City Hall. Witnesses include the mayors of Santee and Vista, as well as the Riverside County district attorney and undersheriff.
The California stop is one of several hearings planned by House Republicans ahead of November.
On Tuesday, the House Judiciary Committee will hold another hearing on “victims’ perspectives.” On the same day, a Judiciary subcommittee will focus on “non-citizen voting.”
In July, House Republicans — and six Democrats — passed a resolution “strongly condemning the failure of the Biden administration and its border czar, Kamala Harris, to secure the U.S. border.”
Despite the label, Harris's immigration policy portfolio was limited to addressing the root causes of migration in certain Latin American countries.
Border arrests have dropped by more than 50% since the Biden administration implemented asylum restrictions in June. Increased enforcement by Mexican immigration authorities and summer heat also contributed to lower numbers of migrants arriving.
