Rep. Cornyn: Biden DOJ border lawsuit 'more than a little ironic'

U.S. Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX) denounced on the Senate floor on July 26 the U.S. Department of Justice’s (DOJ) lawsuit against the State of Texas in relation to the floating barrier in the Rio Grande River, per a press release issued by the lawmaker’s office. 

Citing CBS News, a July 26 Houston Daily article reported that the DOJ pursued legal action against Texas earlier this week on grounds the barrier broke a federal navigable waters law, as well as impeded federal law enforcement in apprehending migrants. 

“The administration filed suit over what it called ‘humanitarian concerns,’ which is more than a little ironic,” Cornyn said, according to the release. 

“The hypocrisy of the Biden administration complaining about the state trying to do its best to deal with a vacuum when it comes to federal responsibility is absolutely ridiculous. “If the president is unhappy with the actions Texas has taken, there is a clear solution: do your job,” the longtime senator said.

Houston Daily reported that Texas Gov. Greg Abbott remained undeterred in the face of looming litigation from the Biden administration, asserting in a July 24 letter to the president the Lone Star State has a right to take action at the border with Mexico as laid out in the U.S. Constitution. 

“Texas will see you in court, Mr. President,” Abbott, a Republican, said in the correspondence, the publication reported. The DOJ proceeded with filing the suit, CBS News reported.

Like Cornyn and his party mates, Abbott pinned the situation at the border on the White House. Per an Austin Journal report from Jan. 9, 2023, illegal immigration has been a source of anger and frustration for Abbott and his fellow Republicans toward the White House in the last two years. 

The White House’s purported lack of response to the crisis had prompted Abbott and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis to take matters into their own hands and bus migrants to what they call left-leaning areas, the publication reported.

Axios reported that the federal government on July 26 requested a federal judge to order Abbott to remove the barrier.

Per the website, the DOJ claimed in court documents have "caused significant and ongoing harm” to the country’s relationship with Mexico and has given Texas up to ten days to dismantle the barrier.