circumstance. >> reporter: members of congress are touring the us-mexico border. senator ted cruz has written the white house requesting journalists join him and 14 of his colleagues as they travel the area this week. he says the administration, quote, clearly and emphatically refused to offer press access. >> the most astonishing part of this is the biden administration is enforcing a total blackout of the press. of the biden administration wants to hide from a crisis that is unfolding on the southern border. >> reporter: the white house defended denying reporters access to the border facilities citing concerns from covid 19. vice president kamala harris was in jacksonville promoting the virus relief package. >> do you plan to visit the border? >> not today. but i have before and i'm sure i