WASHINGTON— U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA) released the following statement after Senate Democrats blocked a bill to fund the government, disaster relief, and border security improvements.
“The question is, how do we fund the government? But the bigger question is, do we build a more secure border between the United States and Mexico? I just voted for a bill that keeps the government open, but also helps secure the border and build what people have come to refer to as the wall,” said Dr. Cassidy. “Now, Washington, D.C., Democrats voted against the bill—I gather they’d rather have open borders and a government shutdown. And all I can say, it’s sad protecting Americans and providing for the national defense has become a partisan issue. Barriers work, walls work, security works. Border security is national security—I hope we get it through.”
Timeline of Cassidy’s efforts this year to build the wall and secure the border
January 12, 2018 – Cassidy pushes for an immigration and border security deal that Republicans and Democrats can both support
January 23, 2018 – Cassidy advocates for President Trump’s four-pillar plan to secure the border and strengthen our immigration system
January 25, 2018 – Cassidy proposes a plan to build the wall and make drug traffickers pay for it
February 15, 2018 – Cassidy introduces legislation to use money seized from drug cartels to pay for border security measures, including a border wall
February 15, 2018 – Cassidy votes for several bills to crack down on sanctuary cities and secure the border
April 20, 2018 – Cassidy visits U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s (CBP) National Targeting Center
June 20, 2018 – Cassidy helps introduce legislation to end policies that encourage more illegal immigration
July 18, 2018 – Cassidy blasts Washington Democrats for blocking a vote on a bill supporting U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)
August 2018 – Cassidy meets with Guatemalan and Mexican officials about the impacts of illegal immigration and the need for greater security and strong borders
August 21, 2018 – Cassidy introduces legislation calling on the mayor of Portland, Oregon, to resign for ordering police to ignore ICE employees’ call for help
September 6, 2018 – Cassidy meets with Louisiana law enforcement officials about reducing illegal immigration
December 11, 2018 – Cassidy urges Democrats not to shut down the government in support of illegal immigration and open borders
December 12, 2018 – Cassidy announces support for new legislation to build the wall and fully pay for it through savings elsewhere
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