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In response to reports that President Trump will postpone the fight over funding a border wall, likely averting a government shutdown, Rep. Henry Cuellar (D-TX-28) said:

“Americans deserve to see bipartisan collaboration on the real challenges facing this country. Lately, instead they’ve seen threats to shut down the government, and an expensive plan to use their tax dollars for an ineffective border wall.

 That’s why I’m glad to hear that President Trump might be backing down, at least for now. He has reportedly agreed not to force a government shutdown this week, and to postpone the fight over his border wall idea until September.

If that distraction is at least temporarily postponed, we in Congress must take the opportunity to work together. Let’s fund our national security, and the programs our constituents actually want. I look forward to working with my colleagues, Democrat and Republican, on the Appropriations Committee this week.

And when President Trump brings up his border wall again, whether in September or next week, I will continue to fight back. My constituents in Texas’ 28^th district have made it clear that they oppose this project.”

Rep. Cuellar has been a consistent advocate for smart, effective border security measures in his role on the Homeland Security Appropriations subcommittee. His district includes 280 miles of U.S.-Mexico border.