Dan Crenshaw: “I thank the gentleman for setting this up and for having me speak here today. I rise today to address the urgent issue…”

“I thank the gentleman for setting this up and for having me speak here today. I rise today to address the urgent issue of border security. There are two elements to the border debate. One is political, and one is policy. The political element consists of the circumstances regarding the shutdown, the negotiations or lack thereof, and the points of compromise from either side. The policy side is simply the question of whether or not we need a wall as part of comprehensive border security. Let me begin with the political gamesmanship. Democratic leadership has been running a victory lap this week because they ``won'' the shutdown. I keep wondering, what exactly did they win? If you think winning means a porous border with 400,000 people apprehended every year, then your definition of winning is different than mine. If you think winning means standing strong against any sort of negotiation or compromise that would have allowed Federal workers finally to be paid, then your definition of winning is different than mine. The President didn't cave to Democrats. The President gave compassion to Federal workers who needed it. If that is your idea of losing, then you and I have different definitions of what it means to lose. The truth is that the President has compromised time after time because, for us, this is not about who wins or loses the political game; it is about securing the border.…”