Sen. Mark Kelly Appears on “Face the Nation” with Margaret Brennan, Aug. 18, 2024

Senator Mark Kelly of Arizona recently discussed critical issues impacting his state, particularly immigration and border security, during an interview on “Face the Nation.” His remarks come at a time when tensions surrounding these matters are heightened, especially with the upcoming elections.

In a key battleground state like Arizona, polling indicates that Vice President Kamala Harris is closely trailing Donald Trump, with only a one-point difference. Upcoming visits by former President Trump to the border are likely to stir even more attention on this pressing issue. Kelly noted that around 48% of registered voters believe that if Harris were to win, border crossings would increase, highlighting a significant concern among constituents.

During the interview, Kelly emphasized the contrasts between Trump and Harris regarding their approaches to border security. He pointed out that Harris has backed a bipartisan border security bill, whereas Trump has actively discouraged Republican Senate members from supporting it. This, he claimed, underlines a significant difference between their leadership styles, suggesting that Harris has been proactive in addressing border issues, while Trump prefers to use them as political leverage.

When asked about Harris’s focus on border issues, especially since she has not highlighted it much on the campaign trail, Kelly mentioned a recent event in Glendale, Arizona, where he and Harris discussed the importance of border reform. He believes that her commitment to improving the immigration system, which he sees as crucial for economic support, indicates her dedication to address these problems once elected as President.

Margaret Brennan, the show’s host, pointed out that complicating factors remain, especially with Congress’s gridlock. Kelly remarked that the current political climate, dominated by Trump, hampers meaningful progress. However, he expressed optimism that once Trump is out of the picture, Republican Senate members who previously negotiated a bipartisan agreement would feel more empowered to move forward with the proposed legislation.

Reflecting on his own experiences, Kelly recalled the difficulties he faced during the 2022 Senate campaign, where he noted that Democrats often failed to grasp the complexities of border issues. He highlighted the conversations he had with various senators and the White House that enabled bipartisan discussions to address border security comprehensively.

Despite past challenges, he firmly believes that Harris understands border issues and is committed to seeking solutions. He reiterated that achieving a balanced agreement that addresses both border security and immigration reform should be the goal moving forward. Kelly contended that Trump’s fixation on discussing border issues without providing viable solutions hampers progress, whereas Harris aims to implement policies that genuinely address root problems.

The discussion shifted to international matters, particularly the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. Kelly voiced his support for providing U.S. weapons to Ukraine, especially following their recent offensive incursions into Russian territory, which he characterized as a necessary response to Putin’s illegal invasion of Ukraine.

Kelly affirmed that the Ukrainian forces are not aiming to hold Russian territory long-term but are executing strategic military operations that could change the dynamics of the conflict. Additionally, he referenced recent calls from former military leaders urging President Biden to lift restrictions on U.S. weapons provided to Ukraine, enabling them to target legitimate military sites within Russia.

He noted that certain restrictions have already been reassessed since the invasion and signaled that ongoing evaluations of the security assistance provided to Ukraine would allow U.S. officials to respond more effectively to the evolving situation on the ground.

In conclusion, Senator Mark Kelly’s insights bring clarity to current debates about immigration, border security, and international military assistance, emphasizing the necessity for bipartisan solutions and robust support for allies like Ukraine while holding strong to a vision for America’s border and immigration policies.

Source: CBS News