Congressman Henry Cuellar (TX-28) has issued a statement after the House of Representatives voted 235-192 to approve a spending bill that includes nearly $1.6 billion for the construction of a border wall:

“I am disappointed by the fact that today the House voted for a spending bill to provide nearly $1.6 billion of funding for the border wall,” said Congressman Cuellar. “However, I know that this is only the first step and I am certain the final version of this bill will not have funding for the wall before going to the President for signature.

“I have been outspoken against President Trump’s wall because, unlike those who have championed for a giant wall between the United States and Mexico, I represent the border and actually live there. I speak with constituents, landowners, law and immigration enforcement regularly and we all know that a massively expensive wall is nothing more than a 14th Century solution to a 21st Century challenge.

“Terrain and natural barriers, along with a vigilant Border Patrol, already provide adequate deterrence for immigrants in most areas. A wall will also require substantial land grabs by the federal government and violate current landownership rights, ranching operations and wildlife refuges. This money would be far better spent on technology and properly equipping our border agents to plug the gaps.

“We cannot just throw money at a problem and hope it goes away. We must work to come up with a strategic and methodical way to deal with immigration, and that includes working with our allies in Mexico and Central America.”