In letter to Biden, Congressional Democrats criticize Abbott’s border truck inspections.

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Texas Democratic delegation in Congress want President Biden to intervene to stop Gov. Greg Abbott's decision to impede commercial truck traffic heading north out of Mexico.

Abbott told Texas Department of Public Safety troopers to inspect all northbound trucks as soon as they had crossed commercial land ports in Texas. He said this was to improve border security and check the safety of the trucks. The trucks have already been inspected by U.S. Customs and Border Protection.

In their letter, the Democratic members of Congress describe Abbott's policy directive as a "political stunt."

They write: "We write to express our grave concern with Texas Governor Greg Abbott's recent deputization of state troopers to conduct inspections of commercial vehicles crossing the U.S.-Mexico border—a state policy that is jeopardizing Congress' and your Administration's efforts to strengthen supply chains, support job creation, lower prices at the grocery store, and ensure the efficient flow of commerce through our ports of entry at the Southern Border."

The letter continues: "We appreciate the Administration's recent statement criticizing this catastrophic policy and call on you to use a whole-of-government approach to end this harmful politicization of our border that is hurting Texas's economy and threatening the livelihood of Texan families and businesses, which is a threat to economic growth and development across the country."

The Texas Democratic Party delegation in the U.S. House consists of Veronica Escobar, Joaquin Castro, Marc Veasey, Henry Cuellar, Al Green, Sheila Jackson Lee, Eddie Bernice Johnson, Lloyd Doggett, Colin Allred, Vicente Gonzalez (pictured above), Lizzie Fletcher, and Sylvia R. Garcia.