Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene, a Georgia Republican, has reintroduced a ploy to “effectively fire” Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas for his handling of the U.S.-Mexico border. Greene has been critical of Mayorkas and the Biden administration for the increase in illegal crossings at the Southern border. The House previously voted in favor of impeaching Mayorkas, accusing him of violating federal immigration laws. Greene was instrumental in pushing for Mayorkas’ impeachment, which ultimately failed in the Senate, blocking a trial to convict Mayorkas.
In response to Mayorkas’ impeachment efforts, Greene proposed an amendment to the 2025 Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act, which would set Mayorkas’ salary at $1 to effectively fire him. Greene stated that Mayorkas has done an “atrocious job” with the Southern border and overall security of the nation, and should not be paid if he has been impeached. The amendment passed with a voice vote in the House, but the amended bill still needs to pass both the House and the Senate. The Democrat-controlled Senate is likely to block any bill containing Greene’s amendment, so the outcome remains uncertain.
Representative Lauren Underwood, an Illinois Democrat, opposed Greene’s amendment on the House floor, stating that Mayorkas plays a critical role in national security and has been an honorable public servant. Underwood criticized Republicans for rejecting a $118 billion aid package, including $20 billion for securing the Southern border, which failed to advance in the Senate. Some claimed that opposition to the bill was to appease former President Donald Trump, who was planning a presidential run focusing on border security.
Last September, House Republicans introduced an amendment to the 2024 Homeland Security Appropriations Act setting Mayorkas’ salary to $1, which passed in the House but did not become law. Greene took to social media to justify her amendment, stating that innocent Americans are dying due to Mayorkas’ open border policies, and he should not receive taxpayer money. Greene continues to push for Mayorkas’ removal and has used various legislative tactics to challenge his authority and effectiveness in managing the border.
The ongoing debate over Mayorkas’ performance and the handling of the U.S.-Mexico border highlights the political divide in Congress regarding immigration policies and national security. Greene’s efforts to impeach Mayorkas and propose an amendment to defund his salary reflect a broader frustration among Republicans with the Biden administration’s approach to border security. The outcome of these legislative actions remains uncertain, as they are subject to approval by both the House and Senate, where political dynamics will ultimately determine Mayorkas’ fate as Homeland Security Secretary. The issue of border security continues to be a contentious and divisive topic in U.S. politics, with implications for national security and immigration policy.
