House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) addressed reporters following the House GOP's move to vote down Friday's bipartisan Senate legislation funding all of the Department of Homeland Security aside from Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Border Patrol — an agreement made as both parties want to get stalled functions like the TSA back to normal while the debate over immigration enforcement reforms continues.
"The Republicans are not going to be any part of any effort to reopen our borders or to stop immigration enforcement," said Johnson. "We are going to deport dangerous criminal illegal aliens because it is a basic function of the government. The Democrats fundamentally disagree. The Senate Democrats have foisted upon this appropriations process their radical, crazy agenda."
Johnson didn't stop at blaming Democrats, however — also lashing out at the Senate Republicans who voted to advance the compromise.
"This gambit that was done last night is a joke," said Johnson. "I'm quite convinced that it can't be that every Senate Republican read the language of this bill, and I'm going to just read you one excerpt of it, because it's pretty alarming. And it says everything that you need to know in Section 4. This is on page two of the bill. This is an actual copy of the bill that excerpt, it says, quote, 'The contents printed under the headings of this bill, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and border security operations, under the heading of U.S. Customs and Border Patrol and Protection, shall have no force or effect."
Later, as reporters questioned a visibly agitated Johnson, he appeared to walk back his comments, lashing out at Senate Republicans somewhat, emphasizing Democrats "forced this upon the Senate" and "I have to protect the House."