Politics

Sen Josh Hawley Blocks Quick Consideration Of Biden’s Homeland Security Nominee

Mark Makela/Getty Images

Daily Caller News Foundation logo
Andrew Trunsky Political Reporter
Font Size:

Missouri Sen. Josh Hawley said that he would object to the expedited consideration of Alejandro Mayorkas, President-elect Joe Biden’s nominee to lead the Department of Homeland Security.

Hawley’s announcement came hours after Mayorkas’s confirmation hearing Tuesday morning, and will delay the confirmation of a post that Democrats have argued is absolutely imperative to fill as soon as possible given the heightened risks to national security.

“Mr. Mayorkas has not adequately explained how he will enforce federal law and secure the southern border given President-elect Biden’s promise to roll back major enforcement and security measures,” Hawley said in a statement.

“Just today, he declined to say he would enforce the laws Congress has already passed to secure the border wall system. Given this, I cannot consent to skip the standard vetting process and fast-track this nomination when so many questions remain unanswered,” Hawley said.

Sen. Josh Hawley (R-MO) signs on to the Pennsylvania objection in the House Chamber during a reconvening of a joint session of Congress on January 06, 2021 in Washington, DC. (Win McNamee/Getty Images)

Sen. Josh Hawley (R-MO) signs on to the Pennsylvania objection in the House Chamber during a reconvening of a joint session of Congress on January 06, 2021 in Washington, DC. (Win McNamee/Getty Images)

Hawley has come under fire from Democrats and fellow Republicans in the wake of the Capitol riot after leading the Senate effort to object to Pennsylvania’s election results. His latest move could temporarily stall Mayorkas’s confirmation since defeating the hold would require 60 votes, meaning that 10 Republicans would have to join Democrats after they officially take control of the chamber on Wednesday.

During the hearing Tuesday, Hawley pressed Mayorkas over how he would allocate $1.4 billion in congressionally-appropriated funds towards President Donald Trump’s border wall. While Mayorkas said that he would “follow the law,” he declined to say whether the funds would ultimately go towards the wall’s further construction. (RELATED: Mayorkas Says ‘New Immigration System’ Is Necessary)

The two also discussed Biden’s proposed pathway to citizenship for the approximately 11 million unauthorized immigrants living in the country.

While Hawley said that the plan was “especially” concerning given the increased hardship millions of Americans are facing, Mayorkas said that he would be “privileged to work with Congress to pass immigration reform legislation that provides that path, and provides a permanent solution to what is clearly a broken system.”

All content created by the Daily Caller News Foundation, an independent and nonpartisan newswire service, is available without charge to any legitimate news publisher that can provide a large audience. All republished articles must include our logo, our reporter’s byline and their DCNF affiliation. For any questions about our guidelines or partnering with us, please contact licensing@dailycallernewsfoundation.org.