This week marked a major moment in President Donald Trump’s first term in office as he asserted that the issues concerning the border constitutes a crisis.
After taking to national airwaves to share his thoughts on why strengthening border security is important, Democrats held their own response, positioning Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and Speaker Nancy Pelosi to give a rebuttal that was met with lukewarm reception.
In a talk with Florida senator Marco Rubio, he was asked if he supported the designation of a national emergency by President Trump. Rubio explained that he does think that what is going on at the border is a crisis, and would "prefer" the issue be dealt with through "legislation."
I’d have to see what he (President Trump) justifies it with, what legal authority he cites," said Rubio, adding,"I’d be concerned about the precedent that it sets. That’s the one thing that I’d ask him to keep in mind.”
Explaining why it is a crisis, Rubio detailed that “anytime you have thousands and thousands of people being trafficked across a border or attempting to cross a border by trafficking networks – that alone is a crisis that needs to be confronted."
"It’s a crisis for them, the migrants that are abused. It’s a crisis for the country and having to deal with the consequences of housing people once they reach here. And, it’s a crisis, frankly, for Mexico who’s the transit point and gets stuck with a lot of the implications of this, so it’s a big problem. That’s for sure.”-Sen. Marco Rubio (R)
The question arises, if Democrats can have some flexibility with the President and provide some funding, but Senator Rubio thinks this is highly unlikely “for different reasons.
"I’m not sure that Speaker Pelosi can agree to anything given the pressure she has from some of the more radical elements in her party in the House. And, obviously I think they just want to deny the President a signature issue, and they’re willing to oppose something they’ve long supported.”
Rubio adds, “The problem we have now is that both sides think they’re winning, and they’ve both kind of dug themselves into a difficult place to get out of. So, we’re in a tough spot right now for the country.”
Earlier in the day, Senator Rick Scott said he would be open to sponsoring or cosponsoring a DACA bill. Senator Rubio was asked if he would be open to cosponsoring a bill with his fellow Republican senator.
Rubio answered that “it depends what it’s structured as, but the problem with those bills is that it’s never just that."
With Rubio saying that he wasn't against a DACA bill, the junior senator from Florida also brought up those legal residents that were in the U.S. under TPS?
"They want to add other stuff to it, and I would say to you, well, I’m not against it. I think we need to do something for young people who have been here for a long time, but what about the people here on TPS? They’re here legally. They’ve been here 20 years. They own businesses in some cases. So, they have to leave, but the people who entered unlawfully get to stay? That’s why it’s never limited to just that issue. It spreads to other things.”
