Risch, Rubio, Cruz, Hagerty, Cassidy, Barrasso To Introduce Resolution on U.S.-Mexico Relations

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Jim Risch (R-Idaho), ranking member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), Ted Cruz (R-Texas), Bill Hagerty (R-Tenn.), Bill Cassidy (R-La.), and John Barrasso (R-Wyo.) plan to introduce a resolution this week reaffirming support for U.S.-Mexico relations, including economic engagement, and encouraging the Biden Administration to address the humanitarian and security crisis at the U.S. southern border.

“As neighbors, the United States and Mexico have shared interests in a secure, prosperous, and democratic Western Hemisphere. I am concerned those interests are being undermined by the security crisis at the U.S.-Mexico border and the erosion of the security and economic conditions in Mexico,” said Risch. “Presidents Biden and Obrador must take meaningful actions to effectively combat transnational criminal activities, promote private sector investments and the integrity of the USMCA, and strengthen the institutions needed to address the negative influence of China and Russia in our hemisphere.”

"At a crucial time in our bilateral ties with Mexico, we are facing the unprecedented challenge of having a foreign leader who publicly criticizes the long term bilateral commitments of both nations and turns a blind eye to the humanitarian crisis at our shared border,” said Rubio. “As a strong defender of democratic values and freedom of the press, I remain committed to raising my voice about the importance of a democratic and stable Mexico while Beijing and Moscow work to undermine stability in our region.”

“The breakdown of the rule of law across our southern border poses acute national security challenges and dangers to the United States, on issues ranging from counter-narcotics to illegal immigration. President Lopez Obrador seems intent on making all of these trends worse while stifling any dissent or criticism. This resolution demonstrates that Congress will ensure that US policy monitors and addresses these reckless policies. This resolution is a fitting reminder to him as he lands tomorrow: we intend to hold him and his administration accountable,” said Cruz.

“It’s critical for the United States and Mexico to have a strong, transparent, and reciprocal partnership for the security and prosperity of our two nations and the stability of the Western Hemisphere,” said Hagerty. “I implore Presidents Biden and López Obrador to champion the integrity of the USMCA, effectively address the national security and humanitarian crisis at the southern border, and find opportunities to attract investment and unlock the economic opportunity presented by the global rebalancing of supply chains away from Communist China.”

“To solve the border crisis and economic instability within our hemisphere, we must have a solid relationship with our Mexican partners,” said Dr. Cassidy. “We urge President Biden to take action to address the growing challenges in the U.S.-Mexico relationship.”

This resolution:

• Reaffirms support for mutually beneficial U.S.-Mexico relations, including stronger economic engagement;
• Expresses concerns about the worsening investment climate in Mexico and encourages the Biden Administration to defend U.S. economic interests by upholding the integrity of the United States–Mexico–Canada Agreement;
• Urges the Biden Administration to address the humanitarian and security crisis at the U.S. southern border by establishing effective immigration controls in the United States, targeting U.S. foreign assistance efforts to strengthen border security and migration management capacities in the region, and leveraging existing bilateral extradition treaties and the Palermo Protocols to prosecute transnational criminal actors facilitating illegal migration to the United States;
• Calls for the prioritization of a detailed plan to reduce the production and trafficking of illicit narcotics in Mexico, including fentanyl originating in China; and
• Encourages the government of Mexico to also take action to address the items above.

Text of the resolution can be found here.

Risch, Barrasso, Rubio, Cruz, and Hagerty released a report last month with several SFRC minority colleagues highlighting how the Biden Administration is undermining U.S. efforts to reduce illegal migration and the governments of Mexico, El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras are falling short on their own domestic and international obligations to address transnational organized crime and illegal migration issues. A copy of the report can be found here.

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