by Guy Page
When 25 Republican governors Jan. 25 released a joint statement in support of Texas Governor Greg Abbott and Texas’ constitutional right to self-defense against “unprecedented illegal immigration,” Vermont Gov. Phil Scott’s name was not among them.
It wasn’t just ‘deep red’ or southern border states signing on. Gov. Chris Sununu from neighbor New Hampshire also signed. But not Alaska Gov. Mike Dunleavy, and not Phil Scott.
Many Vermont Daily Chronicle readers have asked your editor to ask the governor to explain this decision. For example, this email from Gary in Franklin County: “I was wondering if you could ask Phil for me why he did not support Texas border issue? I sort of suspect that seeing Phil voted for Joey that he (Phil) supports Joey’s open border policy. Apparently Vt has no Fentanyl issue and that our northern border is secure.”
So, we asked. In response, press secretary Jason Maulucci told VDC the governor is concerned about the border and supports a solution in Congress.
“The Governor shares concerns expressed by governors and leaders of both parties about the situation on the southern border. He believes Congress should continue to work towards solutions to both secure the border and address humanitarian needs.”
But sign this letter, and others from the Republican Governors’ Association? Nope.
“The Governor is asked to join on to many national-level letters, and we decided long ago to prioritize bipartisan requests that originate from the National Governors Association,” Maulucci said.
Scott also refused to sign a similar RGA letter protesting the insecure southern border in September, 2021. He also chose not to endorse an October, 2023 initiative by Sununu to use state resources to secure the northern border. He declined, too, to sign a 2022 RGA letter urging Pres. Biden to end the Covid State of Emergency.
Last week, the other governors issued their statement “as the Biden Administration continues to attack Texas and refuses to take action or responsibility for the crisis at the Southern border,” an RGA statement reads.
“President Biden and his Administration have left Americans and our country completely vulnerable to unprecedented illegal immigration pouring across the Southern border. Instead of upholding the rule of law and securing the border, the Biden Administration has attacked and sued Texas for stepping up to protect American citizens from historic levels of illegal immigrants, deadly drugs like fentanyl, and terrorists entering our country.
“We stand in solidarity with our fellow Governor, Greg Abbott, and the State of Texas in utilizing every tool and strategy, including razor wire fences, to secure the border. We do it in part because the Biden Administration is refusing to enforce immigration laws already on the books and is illegally allowing mass parole across America of migrants who entered our country illegally.
“The authors of the U.S. Constitution made clear that in times like this, states have a right of self-defense, under Article 4, Section 4 and Article 1, Section 10, Clause 3 of the U.S. Constitution. Because the Biden Administration has abdicated its constitutional compact duties to the states, Texas has every legal justification to protect the sovereignty of our states and our nation.”
Signatories include: Governor Kay Ivey (AL), Governor Mike Dunleavy (AK), Governor Sarah Sanders (AR), Governor Ron DeSantis (FL), Governor Brian Kemp (GA), Governor Brad Little (ID), Governor Eric Holcomb (IN), Governor Kim Reynolds (IA), Governor Jeff Landry (LA), Governor Tate Reeves (MS), Governor Mike Parson (MO), Governor Greg Gianforte (MT), Governor Jim Pillen (NE), Governor Joe Lombardo (NV), Governor Chris Sununu (NH), Governor Doug Burgum (ND), Governor Mike DeWine (OH), Governor Kevin Stitt (OK), Governor Henry McMaster (SC), Governor Kristi Noem (SD), Governor Bill Lee (TN), Governor Spencer Cox (UT), Governor Glenn Youngkin (VA), Governor Jim Justice (WV), and Governor Mark Gordon (WY).
The Governor shares concerns expressed by governors and leaders of both parties about the situation on the southern border. He believes Congress should continue to work towards solutions to both secure the border and address humanitarian needs. The Governor is asked to join on to many national-level letters, and we decided long ago to prioritize bipartisan requests that originate from the National Governors Association.