In yet another stunning display of radical leftist priorities, Rep. Rashida Tlaib (D-MI) cast the lone “no” vote against a commonsense, bipartisan bill aimed at tracking and stopping cartel smuggling tunnels along the U.S.-Mexico border.
The bill, known as the Subterranean Border Defense Act (H.R. 495), sailed through the House of Representatives on Monday with an overwhelming 402-1 vote—but Tlaib, a member of the far-left “Squad,” stood alone in opposition.
What’s in the Bill?
Let’s be clear: this was not a controversial or partisan piece of legislation. The bill simply requires U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to report annually to Congress on cartel-built tunnels used for drug and human smuggling—and detail what the government is doing to shut them down.
Rep. Eli Crane (R-AZ), who introduced the bill, expressed his shock that even one person would oppose such a basic measure.
“I thought for sure everyone was gonna vote yes on my bill this evening,” Crane posted on X after the vote. “402-1 is still pretty solid though.”
Democrat Rep. Lou Correa (D-CA), a co-sponsor of the bill, also praised it, saying:
“I believe this bill is an important step in the right direction.”
And for once, Democrats and Republicans overwhelmingly agreed—with 194 Democrats and 208 Republicans voting in favor. Even Joe Biden’s party recognized the need to do something about cartel tunnels.
Yet, Rashida Tlaib couldn’t even bring herself to vote against drug traffickers and human smugglers.
That’s the big question, isn’t it? Why would Tlaib be the only lawmaker in Congress to vote against this bill?
The bill does not authorize new border wall construction. It does not change immigration policy. It does not expand law enforcement powers. It does not criminalize any new actions.
All it does is force transparency on the federal government’s efforts to stop cartels from digging underground tunnels into our country.
Cartel Tunnels: A Growing National Security Threat
These tunnels are a major problem, and the numbers don’t lie:
- Since 1990, over 140 tunnels have been discovered breaching the U.S. border.
- Cartel tunnel activity has surged by 80% since 2008.
- Transnational criminal organizations are getting more advanced, using sophisticated tunnel systems to smuggle drugs, weapons, and even human trafficking victims into the U.S.
As Crane warned on the House floor:
“Illicit cross-border tunnels along the southwest border of the United States represent a significant and growing threat to national security.”
This is real, it’s happening now, and Congress finally did something about it.
Tlaib: Standing With Cartels Instead of Americans?
It’s truly mind-boggling: Rashida Tlaib had no explanation for her vote. She didn’t even bother to make a statement opposing the bill.
Even members of her own party didn’t stand with her—Democrats from deep-blue states like California, New York, and Illinois voted for it.
So, the question remains: What exactly was Tlaib opposing?
- Does she not want the federal government to report on cartel tunnel activity?
- Does she not care that criminal organizations are trafficking fentanyl into American communities?
- Does she not want Congress to have oversight of border security?
The truth is, Tlaib is so blinded by her radical ideology that she refuses to take even the smallest step toward protecting the American people.
The bill now heads to the Senate for consideration. If common sense prevails, it should pass easily. But with Senate Democrats often caving to the radical left, we’ll have to wait and see.
One thing’s for sure: Americans are paying attention. And when it comes to protecting our border and stopping the deadly drug trade, we know exactly who’s on our side—and who isn’t.
Stay tuned for updates.
