Gov. Kathy Hochul’s office on Sunday criticized Republican members of the state’s congressional delegation for failing to help address the migrant crisis.
State Director of Operations Kathryn Garcia wrote in a letter that the lawmakers “have taken no action to help address this national crisis, and in fact waited until this past week to even reach out to our Administration and express your concerns.”
The letter was in response to one sent on Jan. 26 by nine Republican Congressional representatives, including Reps. Elise Stefanik and Nicole Malliotakis. The letter stated the group was “shocked” Hochul didn’t join 25 other governors in supporting Texas Gov. Greg Abbott’s “efforts to secure the U.S. Southern Border.” It also accused President Biden of failing to secure New York’s northern border with Canada.
Garcia said the Republicans — who hold a majority in the House of Representatives — have “refused to deliver” on immigration reforms that could help ease the number of migrants coming to New York.
“Though Governor Hochul has spent months calling for significant federal aid, thus far you and your colleagues in the House Majority have refused to deliver,” Garcia said in the letter. “If at any point you and your colleagues are ready to stop grandstanding and work collaboratively on a serious solution, I assure you this administration is willing to work with you.”
Garcia sent the letter two days after negotiators in the Democrat-controlled Senate announced a bipartisan agreement on a national security bill that would change the way asylum seekers are processed at the U.S. southern border. The measure would still need approval by the Republican-controlled House.
“We have not received any indication that you support this bipartisan compromise,” Garcia wrote in the letter.
In a statement responding to Garcia, Stefanik accused Hochul and Biden of “attempting to pass the buck” on the migrant crisis.
“Does Kathy Hochul think New…
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