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Legislative Update from Washington

Washington, D.C., February 11, 2019

Just a quick legislative update from Washington...

This Friday is the deadline for Congress and the President to reach a deal on border security. My hope is that a compromise can be reached, but there’s a lot that needs to happen between now and then.

As I’ve often stated, I stand with the President and border patrol agents on this issue, and support their call for $5.7 billion in funding to build ~230 miles of wall in strategic locations along our southern border.

I’ve been to that border. I’ve met with officials from Homeland Security. I know the shocking crime statistics attributable to illegal immigration. It’s all very real and very painful for millions of people, and if we honestly want to protect our citizens and would-be immigrants from harm, it begins by asserting control over our own border.

Of course walls are not the single solution to this crisis. They are, however, the most effective tool we have to (A) reduce the free-flow of illegal immigrants across our border and (B) help ensure those who enter our country do so through a legal port of entry.

Without a deal, approximately 30% of our federal government is set to shut down again early Saturday morning. Nobody wants that. I’m committed to staying in Washington as long as it takes for us to reach a deal on this important issue.