President Donald Trump requested $1.6 billion from Congress to build his proposed wall on the U.S.-Mexico border, but USA Today found that less than a quarter of Republicans on Capitol Hill are willing to voice their support.
The paper asked all 534 members of Congress if they support the funding, which the House included in a $788 billion spending bill passed in July, and found that only 69 of the 292 Republicans serving were willing to say "yes." Three oppose it, while most, 220 Republicans in total, refused to respond or avoided giving a direct answer.
"I voted against including border wall funding into the recent appropriations package because I favor a border security solution based on improved technology and manpower," Rep. Will Hurd of Texas told USA Today. "I've made it clear time and time again that building a physical wall from sea to shining sea is the most expensive and least effective way to secure the border."
Hurd, his fellow Rep. Steve Pearce of New Mexico and Sen. Jeff Flake of Arizona, were the only members of the GOP to express their opposition to the $1.6 billion.
"I fully support securing the border — it is imperative for the safety and security of New Mexico and our nation," Pearce added. "The solution must utilize modern technology and update the strategy our nation uses to patrol the border."
Of the 240 Democrats asked, 133 answered. Almost all said "no." The rest either declined to answer or did not respond. No Democrat expressed support for the funding.
"We need a border security strategy that includes the infrastructure, technology, equipment, and personnel necessary to secure our borders," Sen. Joe Donnelly of Indiana said in his response. "We also need to require employers to use the E-Verify system to ensure that they hire only legal workers. I supported each of these concepts in the Senate-passed comprehensive, bipartisan immigration reform several years ago."
Vermont Sen. Patrick Leahy answered, "A wall is nothing more than an illusion — a false promise — of security. Instead of this boondoggle, which Democrats as well as many Republicans and Independents oppose, we should be considering real solutions of comprehensive immigration reform."
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