House Leader Mike Johnson and 60 of his House Republican BFFs traveled to the Texas border to parlay the border crisis into a huge photo-op to criticize Biden’s border policy. Johnson and his posse traveled on the government’s dime, even as they do everything in their power to stonewall compromises on the federal budget and hold funding for Ukraine and Israel hostage. This visit was not an attempt at a solution, it was a demonstration of their commitment to block any negotiations or compromises on border policy. Johnson knows full well that Biden will not accept the hard line bill the Republican House passed in May, yet is digging in on that position, preferring impasse over compromise. This fits in with Texas governor Greg Abbott’s policy of busing migrants to northern cities without warning. New York City mayor Eric Adams has asked for 32 hours’ notice of a bus arriving, yet Abbott refuses this attempt at coordination and cooperation, opting for impasse over compromise. The message being sent by both Johnson and Abbott is that Republicans don’t want an actual solution to the border crisis, they want the chaos to continue as fodder to criticize the current administration. Full stop. This determination not to negotiate is further demonstrated by the House beginning impeachment proceedings (their new favorite toy) against Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas for dereliction of duty instead of helping to give him the bipartisan tools to carry out his work. Impasse over compromise. These actions seem childish and would be funny if the consequences were not so dire. The border crisis is real, and that’s the way these Republicans like it. This is a Republican faction more intent on exploiting the issue to further their politics of uncompromising impasse and unbridled criticism (so much easier and so much more fun!) than seeking a sincere bipartisan compromise that could actually lead to relief and real help for those so adversely affected by this crisis.