WASHINGTON— Today, Congressmen Henry Cuellar (TX-28), Vicente Gonzalez (TX-15), and ten other Democratic members sent a letter expressing their opposition to Leader Schumer’s recent comments establishing Senate Democrats’ starting negotiating position of $1.6 billion for a border wall. In the letter, the members made clear that the Democrats should not accept any funding in the FY 2019 Homeland Security Appropriations bill. The other ten members include Joaquin Castro (TX-20), Juan Vargas (CA-51), Mark Takano (CA-41), Al Green (TX-09), Lou Correa (CA-46), Raul Grijalva (AZ-07), Ruben Gallego (AZ-07), Tony Cárdenas (CA-29), Norma Torres (CA-35), and Member-Elect Veronica Escobar (TX-16).

Congressman Cuellar said, “As a lifelong border resident, I understand firsthand the implications that a border wall would have on our communities. That is why I oppose all allocation of funds towards a border wall, which is a 14^th-century solution to a 21^st-century problem. Instead of enacting a concrete wall, we should allocate funding towards technology, equipment, border personnel, and economic development in Central America. I strongly encourage Leader Schumer to reconsider and clarify that Democrats should accept no funding for a wall. I thank my fellow colleagues for joining me in spearheading this important issue, making it clear that we will not negotiate when it comes to a border wall.”

“We need all hands on deck to oppose frivolous border wall spending proposals – that includes Leader Schumer,” Congressman Gonzalez said. “Recently, I submitted official correspondence to U.S. Customs and Border Protection in response to the agency’s public comment period. The report articulated how a border wall on the U.S.-Mexico Border would: further inflame U.S.-Mexico relations; fail to deter illegal immigration; lead to economic and agriculture losses; endanger public lands and wildlife; create flood hazards; encroach on private property rights; and infringe on the property rights of Native Americans.”

See attached copy of the letter here. 

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