The partisan fight over immigration has intensified ahead of November's presidential election.
The US House of Representatives dealt a blow to Republican Speaker Mike Johnson when it voted Tuesday against the dismissal of Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas in a 214-216 vote.
The Republican-controlled House of Representatives blocked impeachment charges brought by a committee against Democratic President Joe Biden's top border official in a 214-216 vote.
Four Republicans challenged his leadership and joined Democrats in opposing charges against President Joe Biden's top border official, Mayorkas, a Cabinet member. Reuters reported.
The partisan fight over immigration has intensified ahead of November's presidential election. After the failed impeachment vote, Republicans said they would try again.
“House Republicans have every intention of reintroducing the articles of impeachment against Secretary Mayorkas when we have the votes to pass them,” Raj Shah, Johnson's spokesman, said in a tweet on X.
Department of Homeland Security spokeswoman Mia Ehrenberg said in a statement that House Republicans should “abandon these political games” and instead “get DHS the enforcement (border) resources we need.”
However, far-right Republican rhetoric in the House of Representatives remained fierce. “Everyone who voted against Mayorkas' impeachment owns everything that happens as a result of our open border: every rape, every murder, every drug overdose, everything,” Rep. Lauren Boebert said in a post on the social networks.
Republican Rep. Mike Simpson predicted his leaders would organize a second vote on Mayorkas once House Majority Leader Steve Scalise, who has been receiving cancer treatment, returns from sick leave.
Previously, Senate Republicans killed a bipartisan border security agreement aimed at addressing issues such as illegal immigration on Mexico's southern border, despite their desire to stop Mayorkas' efforts.
Republican senators oppose the $118 billion measure, which includes military aid for Ukraine and Israel, leading Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell to conclude the effort would fail.
Democratic Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer vowed to press ahead with plans for a procedural vote on the bill on Wednesday, knowing it was unlikely to succeed.
Polls show immigration has become a top voter concern as Trump prepares for a likely rematch with Biden in November.
