Ted Deutch: “Let's be clear. The longest shutdown in our history is not about border security. Both Democrats and Republicans agree…”

“Let's be clear. The longest shutdown in our history is not about border security. Both Democrats and Republicans agree we need strong border security; we need new technology; we need stronger ports of entry; and we need more personnel. But the President is tossing aside what we agree upon so that he can hit taxpayers for $5 billion for his wall, and he is making 800,000 hardworking Federal employees and contractors, and their loved ones, pay an even higher price right now. I have heard from constituents who should be working as aviation safety inspectors to keep our skies safe. Instead, one is waiting in the unemployment office. One cabin safety inspector is struggling to pay for cancer medication. Another is negotiating a payment plan for his mother's care, and his mother is an 88-year-old veteran living with dementia. Let's end the pain of this shutdown, reopen the government, get Federal workers back on the job and being paid. We can work together to strengthen our borders, and we can treat asylum seekers with respect. ____________________”