'Symbolic trick by GOP': Internet divided as House votes to defund Alejandro Mayorkas' salary in DHS funding bill

WASHINGTON DC: The House of Representatives voted to block Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas' salary on Wednesday, June 26.

This decision was part of an amendment proposed by Republican Andy Biggs, included in the appropriations bill funding the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) for fiscal year 2025.

Andy Biggs says Alejandro Mayorkas doesn't deserve a single penny

The amendment, which passed with a vote of 193 to 173, saw just one Republican voting against it.

Another amendment by Rep Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga, to reduce Mayorkas' salary to zero, failed with a vote of 208 to 200. One Republican voted present on that measure, Fox News reported. 

"Taxpayers should not be paying an unelected bureaucrat who was impeached by the House. That's why I sponsored an amendment to this year's Homeland Security Appropriations Act to prohibit funding to be used for the salary of DHS Secretary Mayorkas," wrote Andy Biggs on X before the vote.

Later when the amendment was passed he wrote another tweet on X saying, "The House just passed my amendment to defund the office of the DHS Secretary. Alejandro Mayorkas—who was impeached earlier this year—doesn't deserve a single penny from American taxpayers."

Alejandro Mayorkas has been a frequent target of House GOP's

Mayorkas, who has been a frequent target of the House GOP's criticism, is blamed by Republican lawmakers for the ongoing crisis at the southern border.

Earlier this year, House Republicans voted to impeach him, making him the first Cabinet secretary to be impeached since the late 1800s.

The DHS appropriations bill provides the department with roughly a $3 billion increase from fiscal year 2024.

It also includes $600 million to fund the completion of former President Trump's border wall and provisions to block funding for abortion care and transgender healthcare for noncitizens detained in ICE custody.

Several other amendments have been passed as part of the DHS funding bill.  One amendment by Rep Chip Roy, R-Texas, prohibits funds from being used to implement policies that would keep asylum-seekers in Texas while their claims are being processed.

Another measure led by Representative Andy Ogles, R-Tenn., blocks the DHS from implementing Covid-19 mask policies.

The appropriations bill itself is expected to get a final vote on Friday, June 28, though it is highly unlikely to be taken up by the Democrat-led Senate. The White House has already threatened to veto the measure if it reaches President Biden's desk, as reported by the outlet. 

Internet reacts to House Representatives blocking Alejandro Mayorkas' salary 

The internet is divided over Alejandro Mayorkas' salary being blocked in a House vote. 

"Better late than never," wrote one user on X. Another commented, "It's about time," while a third added, "Lock him up."

Not all reactions were supportive as one user remarked, "This will go nowhere." Another suggested, "How about we make him pay for the funerals of every American murdered by his border policies?"

One user wrote, "Such time-consuming petty agenda," and another suggested, "Not enough. He needs to be indicted."

One more comment read, "All Zionists in America should be defunded, so we can have our country back."

With criticism, appreciation floated too with one user writing,  "Thank You! Now cut total spending."

However, others remained skeptical with one person questioning, "Is this another symbolic trick by GOP that won't do a thing?"

This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.