Today, Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (WA-03) released the below statement regarding her vote against impeaching Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas:

“As the number of migrants unlawfully crossing our Southern Border reached a record high in December, it’s evident the Biden Administration has failed to get a handle on this unsustainable humanitarian crisis. Our government has an obligation to maintain a secure border, yet it’s been unable to even keep track of who’s traveling in and out – the American people deserve better.

The crisis at our Southern Border is an urgent issue that requires serious, bipartisan action by Congress. Unfortunately, the House Majority decided to waste valuable time on this failed political stunt, instead of on finding a bipartisan solution to this crisis. Impeachment power was never intended to be used to sanction officeholders over policy differences, and today’s border policy failures are not high crimes and misdemeanors.

Our immigration system has been broken for decades, while the number of migrants arriving at our Southern Border continues to grow. In absence of further action from the Biden Administration, it’s up to Congress to find a bipartisan comprehensive immigration solution that delivers for our communities’ safety, migrants seeking legal pathways to citizenship, and our small businesses and farms facing acute labor shortages. It’s also critical that Congress stop the flow of illicit fentanyl across the Southern Border, and I hope any immigration reform package will include solutions like the FEND off Fentanyl Act to further target opioid traffickers.

We don’t need more political grandstanding – we need a bipartisan compromise that reflects our values and keeps us safe. I’m ready to work with Republicans and Democrats to get it done.”