Republicans target Democrats over NYC migrant crisis in government spending fight

The National Republican Congressional Committee launched a new ad campaign targeting New York Democrats over the state’s migrant crisis, following through with the GOP’s strategy of hitting their opponents over immigration that helped the party flip at least five seats in the Empire State during the midterm elections last year.

The 60-second ad highlights the immigration crisis in New York that has prompted outcry from several of the state’s Democratic lawmakers, accusing House Democrats of ignoring the southern border, resulting in the migrant overflow in northern states. The ad specifically hits Democrats on their policies to house migrants in public schools and to overturn Trump-era border restrictions, arguing they “cause[d] this crisis in the first place.”

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“Ignoring the border crisis won’t solve New York’s migrant crisis, despite Hakeem Jeffries’ desperate wishes,” said NRCC national press secretary Will Reinert. “Extreme House Democrats scurry away when asked about the issue — allowing the state’s GOP Congressional delegation to be the only face of reason in the Empire State.”

The ad coincides with messaging from Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) amid the fight over government funding, as Republican leaders have sought to leverage their majority in the House to advance their border legislation. McCarthy announced he would put a temporary spending bill on the floor for a vote later this week that includes H.R. 2, the GOP-led border security legislation that passed the House earlier this year.

“Democrats across the nation are telling the president to do something about the border,” McCarthy said. “The only place I’m not hearing any Democrats saying anything about it is here is in the halls of Congress.”

McCarthy unveiled a proposal during a GOP conference meeting last week that would set a top line for a continuing resolution at $1.471 trillion and included H.R. 2, the House’s border security bill, and a fiscal commission to look at how to reduce the government’s debt. It’s not yet clear how long the stopgap measure would last, but Republicans are looking at anywhere between 14 days to 60 days.

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At least nine Republicans voiced their opposition to the continuing resolution last week and over the weekend, making it unlikely to pass the lower chamber without Democratic support. As a result, some centrist Republicans have entered into talks with Democrats for a possible bipartisan deal — which could pose a challenge to McCarthy, whose speakership is being threatened by some on his right flank if he attempts to work with those on the other side of the aisle.

However, even if the conservative CR does manage to make it through the House, it’s unlikely to pass the Senate, doing little if anything to avoid a government shutdown.