Calling it a vote to protect America’s future and a vote for law and order, Sen. Majority Leader Steve Gooch, R-Dahlonega, took to the well one last time Monday after more than 90 minutes of discussions to ask his colleagues to vote in favor of Senate Resolution 543. The resolution condemns President Biden and his staff for their handling of the U.S with Mexico and supports Gov. Brian Kemp sending troops to Texas.
The resolution passed along party lines, 31-15.
“I am looking for a solution,” said Gooch. “Yes this condemns Biden for his reversal of action taken by President Trump. But we want to close our borders to stop illegal activity. With a yes vote we are also supporting our Governors across the country who are begging for help. We are stopping the illegals from coming across the border.”
Sen. Bo Hatchett, R-Cornelia, asked his colleagues to stand behind Gov. Kemp with their yes vote on this legislation. “Our Governor has visited to border five times, and has ensured the Georgia National Guard has a presence at the border since 2019. Governor Abbott of Texas knows he has the full support of Georgia. Joe Biden and the DC Democrats have failed to protect the citizens. We have to be united.”
Several who spoke in favor of the resolution pointed to the amount of fentanyl seized as a result of the open border – something included in the resolution. SR 543 says, “WHEREAS, the amount of fentanyl seized has increased by 480 percent since Fiscal Year 2020, representing a staggering 26,700 pounds recovered in Fiscal Year 2023 compared to just 4,600 pounds in 2020.
Others spoke on “behalf of the children” who are suffering because of the open borders.”
“We need to pay attention to the children,” said Sen. Marty Harbin, R-Tyrone. “The cartel would rather have the children than the drugs. Georgia is one of the top states for trafficking. We need to pay attention to trafficking, especially involving children.”
Democrats who took to the well to oppose the legislation, called it “election-year politics.”
“This resolution is not worth the paper it is written on,” said Sen. Elena Parent, D-Atlanta. “We can’t support donating Georgia’s resources without debate of the issue. The facts show that the Republican Party has killed immigration reform. It’s Republicans who have failed to secure our borders.”
“The cartels are our problem,” said Sen. Josh McLaurin, D-Sandy Springs. “We can’t play into their hands. We have to look at which party’s messaging is making it easier for the cartels – and it’s not the minority party.”
Lt. Gov. Burt Jones released a statement following the passage of the resolution “The Biden administration’s complete and total failure to secure our border has left our nation less safe and caused severe strains on taxpayer funded resources. We must do everything we can to secure our nation’s borders to stop the deadly flow of drugs and criminals into our country. I am proud of the Senate for acknowledging what many in Washington, D.C. will not: there is a serious and dangerous crisis at our Southern Border.”
Just after lunch Monday, Gov. Kemp announced that he and First Lady Marty Kemp will be joined by LG Jones, Speaker of the House Jon Burns, and other state leaders for an announcement regarding the crisis at the U.S.-Mexico border.
