Duval Times

Senators Rick Scott and Ron Johnson have penned an op-ed in Fox News, highlighting the urgent need to prioritize border security in the United States before allocating any further funds to secure Ukraine's border. The senators have been vocal in their criticism of President Biden's handling of the border situation, which they describe as a "clear and present danger" to America.

In their op-ed, Senators Scott and Johnson assert that it is the primary responsibility of the U.S. president to defend the country's citizens and uphold the Constitution. However, they argue that President Biden's open border policy is failing to meet these obligations. They further criticize the president and his Democratic allies in Congress for exacerbating the border crisis rather than addressing it.

The article highlights the alarming statistics since President Biden took office. It states that approximately 9.5 million migrants have illegally entered the country, with only around 3 million being returned. This leaves over 6 million migrants residing in America under the Biden administration's watch. The senators stress the burden that this places on cities across the nation, with New York City alone facing challenges despite being a declared sanctuary city.

The senators also address the Biden administration's decision to reverse the border security policies implemented by former President Trump. They argue that this abrupt reversal, which was justified as a response to "inhumane" policies, has resulted in a significant national and homeland security threat. They warn of the potential for foreign terrorist organizations to exploit the open border and infiltrate the country.

Given the Biden administration's failure to secure the border, Senators Scott and Johnson believe it is up to Republicans to utilize any leverage available, including the administration's desire to provide foreign aid to Ukraine, to ensure border security. They emphasize that regardless of one's stance on supporting Ukraine, the safety and well-being of American citizens should take precedence.

To achieve this, the senators call for strong legislative measures and for any funding allocated to Ukraine to be contingent upon meeting specific benchmarks that demonstrate border security progress. They urge House Republicans not to consider any Ukraine funding bill that falls short of this requirement, and for Senate Republicans to deny cloture on such a bill.

In conclusion, Senators Rick Scott and Ron Johnson argue that securing America's border is of utmost importance and must be prioritized over providing aid to Ukraine. They assert that President Biden's open border policy poses a severe threat to national security and that Republicans must take decisive action to address this crisis.

For additional details, please follow this link: https://www.rickscott.senate.gov/2023/12/in-case-you-missed-it-sens-rick-scott-ron-johnson-in-fox-news-before-biden-gives-one-more-dime-to-ukraine-he-must-first-secure-our-border