President Joe Biden had urged Congress to pass a bipartisan Senate deal on immigration, saying it would give him new emergency authority to “shut down” the border. 

But after Donald Trump called the bill “a gift to the Democrats,” and that the Democrats “want this for the presidential election so they can now blame the Republicans for the worst border in history,” the bill failed to move in Congress.

While Biden lays the responsibility for the border at the feet of Congress, Republican members, including first-term Republican Rep. Marc Molinaro of New York's 19th Congressional District, argues that Biden possesses executive authority to close the border.

“The truth is, the president can take three steps now that would send a powerful message to Republicans and Democrats, and more importantly to American families,” Molinaro told Capital Tonight. 

Those steps include reestablishing “Remain in Mexico," providing direct resources to border agents and redirecting resources to ensure the asylum-seeking process is more efficient. 

Earlier on Thursday, Molinaro’s Republican colleague, New York Rep. Mike Lawler, announced his support for a bill (H.R. 7372) known as the “Defending Borders, Defending Democracies” Act, which would provide aid to Israel, Ukraine and Taiwan, and pay for border provisions like “Remain in Mexico."

When asked, Molinaro said he generally supports the provisions of the bill, but he also wants immediate action on the border.

“Right now, we need to move effectively on a border security policy,” he said.