The One Border Question That White House Press Secretary Josh Earnest Refused to Answer

White House press secretary Josh Earnest refused to say whether or not the Obama administration thinks the border is secure, despite being repeatedly pressed on the question at Wednesday's daily briefing.

"Is the border today secure?" asked Fox News' Ed Henry.

"The issue we're seeing today at the border—," Earnest said before being interrupted by Henry.

"Is the border secure?" Henry pressed.

"Well, I will tell you there are more resources that are dedicated to this border right now, and securing it, than there ever have been," Earnest replied. "The issue that we're seeing right now is not individuals attempting to evade detection by Border Patrol, what we're seeing right now are people coming to the border and turning themselves over to Border Patrol."

Henry then asked if the White House agreed with Senate Majority Harry Reid (R-Nev.) who proclaimed the border "secure" Tuesday.

"Do you agree with that?" Henry asked.

"The administration under the president's leadership has dedicated significant resources to securing the border," Earnest said. "Here's what I would say to those Republicans who are concerned about border security. There is an historic investment in border security resources included in the bipartisan bill passed by the Senate. So those in the House who are concerned about border security should be the champions of common-sense immigration reform."

"So it is hard to take seriously the concerns of those who say the border is not secure while blocking a piece of legislation that's already passed the Senate that would actually invest in securing the border," he continued.

Henry, still not satisfied with the answer, asked one final time if the White House views the border as secure.

"They're saying its not secure, the Republicans," he said. "You're saying it is secure?"

"They're saying its not secure and blocking a piece of legislation that would make an historic investment in border security," Earnest answered.

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