As Republicans criticize President Joe Biden’s handling of the influx of immigrants at the southern border, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) is suggesting they are just pivoting to a new issue to talk about.
On Thursday, Pelosi was asked whether she believes it was a “mistake” for Democrats to not focus on immigration issues “earlier in agenda.”
The reporter noted that Democrats and Republicans are “talking about such different things as the key issue right now.”
“I guess their Dr. Seuss approach didn’t work for them so now they’ve had to change the subject,” Pelosi responded.
She added, “But we do not prioritize our values and how we can make a difference in the lives of the American people to be attuned to the bankruptcy of ideas that the Republicans have.”
Watch the video below:
Reporter: Why are Republicans focused on immigration and Democrats aren’t?
— NowThis Impact (@nowthisimpact) March 11, 2021
Pelosi: ‘I guess their Dr. Seuss approach didn’t work for them so now they’ve had to change the subject’ pic.twitter.com/eLP1cEKCsA
Pelosi’s comments come after Republicans were criticized for spending time talking about the decision to stop publishing six children’s books from Dr. Seuss due to offensive imagery while Democrats were working to pass a $1.9 trillion COVID-19 relief package.
The bill passed the House and Senate with no Republican support.
Now, Republican lawmakers are focusing on the influx of immigrants at the southern border and criticizing Biden for not labeling the situation a “crisis.”
They also allege that Biden has had a lax response to the situation.
While Biden officials maintain they want to implement a “humane” immigration policy, they are facing a new challenge as hundreds of migrant children are arriving at the border every day.
The surge in migrant children has overwhelmed border facilities which has led officials to look for other facilities to house the children until they can be processed and released to families or sponsors.
Additionally, The New York Times reports that border authorities made roughly 100,000 apprehensions at the border in February.
While Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas says the administration wants to “replace the cruelty” of the Trump administration’s policies, officials are warning immigrants that it will take time for them to implement the new policies.