news

Rep. Cuellar Votes NO on Border Wall Funding in 2020 Spending Bill

Congressman Urges House Leadership to Renegotiate  

Washington, D.C.—Today, Congressman Henry Cuellar (TX-28) voted against the final spending bill that includes $1.375 billion for the construction of a southwest border wall and allows the Trump Administration to reallocate appropriated funds, such as military construction projects, for the border wall.

“I am voting no on this spending bill not to shut down the government, but to continue debate on how to move forward with smart border security, such as utilizing advanced technology and increasing personnel, instead of funding an ineffective border wall,” said Congressman Cuellar.

“From Day 1, I have made my position very clear: I oppose the wall, the wall is not necessary, and the wall will not work. The Trump Administration’s ineffective and wasteful border wall hurts taxpayers, wildlife, the environment, and my community. The people of my district sent me to the nation’s capital to be good stewards of their taxpayer dollars and to protect their rights, including the right to own private property.”

“As the Vice Chair of the Homeland Security Appropriations Subcommittee, I will continue to work with my colleagues in the Appropriations Committee to build a spending bill that includes strong border security and no funding for a wall. During the last budget impasse I successfully negotiated cutting half the proposed wall funding while building in local protections for La Lomita Chapel, Bentsen State Park, the Butterfly Preserve, and Starr County. I am asking House negotiators to continue these efforts to eliminate wall funding."