February 20, 2024

Following Governor Mike Parson’s announcement of his plan to fulfill his promise to perpetuate the crisis at the southern border by sending Missouri resources to Texas, Missouri Democratic Party Executive Director Matthew Patterson and Missouri State House Minority Whip Ashley Aune released the following statement:

“Governor Parson’s decision to double down his political theater at the southern border instead of urging his Republican colleagues in Congress to support the bipartisan border agreement is not surprising but is deeply shameful. Missouri Republicans have demonstrated time after time that they will always choose to play political games over doing their jobs no matter who is put at risk.” Patterson said. 

“I am sick and tired of self-serving politicians playing political games with our lives—whether we’re talking about immigration reform or common sense gun legislation. The bipartisan bill that was blocked by Republicans in Congress would have addressed this crisis, but Missouri Republicans would rather send Missouri resources to another state than do their jobs. To these politicians, our pain is their political strategy, and America will continue to feel the consequences of their dysfunction as long as it scores them political points. Governor Parson should urge his Republican colleagues to set aside campaigning from office and do the hard work of governing,” said Missouri State House Minority Whip Ashley Aune. 

Background: 

Bipartisan negotiators in the US Senate, including Senators James Lankford (R-Okla.) and Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), worked for months to craft a comprehensive legislative package to address the immigration crisis at the southern border that was killed by former President Trump, who bragged about his efforts to kill the bipartisan deal by urging his supporters in Congress to reject the deal outright before the legislation has been considered by the body.   

Missouri State House Minority Whip Ashley Aune is the first Latina elected to serve in Missouri State House leadership and is only one of two Latino state legislators currently serving in the Missouri State House, alongside Representative Robert Sauls. Missouri’s Latino population continues to be among the fastest-growing populations in the state. According to the US Census, the number of Missourians who identify as Hispanic increased by 42.6% from 2010 to 2020.

###

Media Contact: 

Chelsea Rodriguez, Communications Director

press@missouridems.org