GOP to accuse Biden of "unlawful" border actions

40 — That’s the number of Senate Republicans who are set to accuse Biden of committing “unlawful” acts by freezing congressionally appropriated money for border wall construction on Inauguration Day. In a letter to the nonpartisan Government Accountability Office today, they will argue not only that Biden’s move was unsanctioned by Congress but that it exacerbated the border crisis…

Pointing to the surge of migrants and increase in border apprehensions, the group will argue that Biden’s actions “directly contributed to this unfortunate, yet entirely avoidable, scenario.” Following the decision, “operational control of our southern border was compromised and a humanitarian and national security crisis has ensued,” they’ll write, according to an early copy shared with Playbook.

The letter will argue that Biden’s moves “are also a blatant violation of federal law and infringe on Congress’s constitutional power of the purse.” Interestingly, the letter will cite GAO’s move to call foul on former President DONALD TRUMP’S decision to halt military aid to Ukraine without the Hill’s consent. That, you’ll remember, was a central charge in the first impeachment. Republicans will say Biden is doing the same thing now.