Vulnerable Senate Democrats undercut Biden on Title 42
by Rebecca Beitsch and Rafael Bernal - 04/07/22 6:00 AM ET
Moderate Democrats are undercutting the Biden administration’s months of careful messaging on Title 42 that cast its retention of the Trump-era policy as a public health necessity rather than a border management tool.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced Friday it would on May 23 rescind the order that blocks migrants from seeking asylum in the U.S. as the country learns to mitigate the effects of the coronavirus pandemic.
But rather than view it as a public health victory, some moderate Democrats see a huge political liability, leaving them furious that the White House ended policy ahead of a tough midterm election.
In the days since the decision, Democratic Senate moderates have warned of chaos at the border, echoing talking points previously pushed largely by the GOP.
Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) called it a “frightening decision.” Sen. Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.) called it “wrong.” And Sen. Maggie Hassan (D-N.H.) said the Biden administration “does not appear to be ready” for the surge in migration that could result. Kelly and Hassan both face difficult reelection battles in November.
For advocates who have long argued the policy was an illegal and inhumane holdover, moderate Democrats are finally saying the quiet part out loud.
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https://thehill.com/latino/3261056-vulnerable-senate-democrats-undercut-biden-on-title-42/
