Harris points to Congress on immigration crisis, saying it needs to act to 'fix the problem'

Vice President Kamala Harris on Monday pushed back on questions regarding the border crisis that erupted during the Biden-Harris administration, claiming that Congress needs to step up in order to actually fix the issue.

60 Minutes reporter Bill Whitaker pressed Harris on reports that the number of undocumented immigrants that came into the United States quadrupled while she was in the Naval Observatory, and questioned whether she regretted not taking authoritative action on the border sooner. 

Harris responded that the first bill that the administration proposed to Congress was on immigration because it knew that in order to fix the border, Congress would need to take action. She also highlighted a more recent border security bill that was allegedly shot down by former President Donald Trump.

"It's a long-standing problem," Harris insisted. "Solutions are at hand, and from day one, literally, we have been offering solutions."

Whitaker doubled down on a question about whether lifting some of Trump's policies were a mistake, given that it led to a sudden surge in illegal immigration. In response, she pointed out that illegal immigration numbers in 2024 are down.

"The policies that we have been promoting are about fixing a problem, not promoting a problem," Harris said firmly. 

"But the numbers did quadruple under your watch," Whitaker responded.

"And the numbers today because of what we have done, we have cut the flow of illegal immigration by half, we have cut the flow of fentanyl by half," she said, speaking over Whitaker. "We need Congress to be able to act, to actually fix the problem."

The exchange comes less than a month before election day. Voters have cited immigration and border security as top concerns when considering a presidential candidate. 

Misty Severi is an evening news reporter for Just The News. You can follow her on X for more coverage.