At least 15 congressional Democrats oppose Biden's move to end Title 42

WASHINGTON (TND) — A growing list of Democrats are voicing opposition to the Biden administration’s decision to revoke the Trump-era Title 42 policy, with several moderates introducing legislation that would reverse the rule’s termination.

A handful of the Democrats opposing Biden’s move to terminate Title 42 next month are heading into what some consider tough reelection races in 2022.

Title 42, a public health rule implemented by the CDC, allows border officials to expedite the deportation of migrants and asylum-seekers from countries where communicable diseases are present.

One of the most notable Democrats to diverge from the Biden administration’s decision to terminate the rule is Sen. Gary Peters, D-Mich., who heads the Senate’s Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee.

Sen. Peters told reporters Monday that he shares the same concerns as some of his fellow Democrats regarding the termination of Title 42.

“Unless we have a well-thought-out plan, I think it is something that should be revisited and perhaps delayed,” he said, according to Politico. “I’m going to defer judgment on that until I give the administration opportunity to fully articulate what that plan is. I share the concerns of some of my colleagues.”

Responding to GOP requests that a hearing be held to ask questions about the Biden administration’s plans, Peters said a date had not been announced yet, but “we’re in the process of thinking that through right now.”

Other Democrat senators challenging the Biden administration’s move are Sens. Chris Coons, D-Del., Mark Kelly, D-Ariz., Kyrsten Sinema, D-Ariz., Maggie Hassan, D-N.H., Catherine Cortez Masto, D-Nev., Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., and Jon Tester, D-Mont., as well as progressive, yet sometimes centrist, Sen. Raphael Warnock, D-Ga., who is up for reelection in 2022.

“Senator Warnock does not support lifting Title 42 at this time,” his office said in a statement this month. "Senator Warnock believes in protecting the humanity of migrants at the border, but before this policy is rescinded, the Administration should present a plan for how it will ensure our border security.”

Several of the aforementioned Democratic senators have introduced legislation opposing Biden's termination of Title 42 without a plan in place to handle the surge of migrants that experts argue it will cause.

A growing number of Democrats in the House are also standing in opposition.

Reps. Greg Stanton, D-Ariz., Stephanie Murphy, D-Fla., Tom O’Halleran, D-Ariz., Jared Golden, D-Maine, and Chris Pappas, D-N.H., have all signed similar legislation that would force the Biden administration to implement “a comprehensive, coordinated strategy” before lifting Title 42 – effectively halting its termination in the meantime. Rep. Henry Cuellar, D-Texas, later signed on to the legislation as well, according to Fox News.

A majority (56%) of registered voters surveyed by Morning Consult/Politico opposed ending Title 42.

“From day one, survey data has shown Biden’s executive actions on immigration to be his most unpopular," Morning Consult reported.