Texas Border Business
WASHINGTON – Congressman Vicente Gonzalez (TX-15) issued the following statement in response to President Donald J. Trump’s announcement to join efforts to reopen the federal government, ending the longest-ever government shutdown – 35 days – in history. The continuing resolution will extend government funding for three weeks until February 15, 2019, and provide back pay to federal employees who have missed paychecks since December 22, 2018.
“There have been plenty of opportunities, supported by both sides of the aisle, to fund or reopen the government. President Trump has made it clear that this was never about keeping Americans safe but keeping a campaign promise. Meanwhile, approximately 800,000 federal workers, their families, and our economy have faced perilous ramifications as a result of the Trump shutdown.
Since coming to Congress, I have joined bipartisan efforts for smart, pragmatic approaches to border security, calling on the President’s consideration. No response to be found. Recently, once again, I joined a bipartisan group of Problem Solvers to request that serious and real border security conversations be held – with an open government. While the President may seemingly be coming to the table, let it be noted that this should have never happened. Elected officials – local, state, or federal – must never hold the American people hostage for the sake of a political agenda. Never again, Mr. President. Never again.”
