On Thursday, Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) dismissed reports suggesting that President Biden is contemplating the use of executive authority to tackle the issues at the southern border, characterizing them as “election year gimmicks.”

Various outlets had indicated on Wednesday that Biden, despite previous White House assertions that he had exhausted unilateral measures on the border, is exploring potential actions to restrict migrants’ asylum-seeking capabilities in the U.S.

For months, Johnson has been urging Biden to utilize his executive authority to improve border conditions, including a December letter that urged immediate actions within the existing immigration laws to curb the escalating flow of illegal immigration.

In response to this week’s reports, Johnson raised questions about Biden’s commitment to addressing the border situation, The Hill reported.

An administration official informed The Hill that the Biden administration is considering “a series of policy options” but has not reached a final decision.

Throughout his tenure as Speaker, Johnson has grappled with the challenge of addressing the southern border situation, often finding himself at odds with Biden and the Senate.

Despite conservative pleas for Biden to utilize executive authority, the president and White House officials have previously maintained that all available options had been exhausted.

Written by B.C. Begley