Ron Johnson Stands Behind Trump On Border Security

Republican U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson was pressed by constituents during a “tele-town hall” meeting Wednesday about why he wasn’t doing more to reopen the federal government. In response, Johnson defended President Donald Trump and restated the need for a border wall.

Speaking by telephone during the meeting, Johnson said Democrats, not the president, have been unwilling to reach a compromise over a border wall to end the partial federal government shutdown, which has continued for weeks.

“The president’s not getting any positive feedback that the Democrats are willing to negotiate in good faith so, I think we have to maintain some measure of pressure on Democrats to come to the table,” said Johnson. “Sounds to me like the president is willing to negotiate in good faith.”

Johnson said he is at least trying to lessen the financial burden on federal employees by sponsoring a bill that would pay around 420,000 government workers during the shutdown.

“I hate government shutdowns,” he said. “I feel horribly for all the government workers that are either on furlough or those that we force to work and they’re just not getting paid.”

Johnson said U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Kentucky, and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-New York, are discussing the legislation. However, when asked, Johnson wouldn’t say if he would push McConnell to bring a spending bill to the president that Democrats support. Instead, Johnson said he is doing everything he thinks will be effective to help end the shutdown.

The senator said the nation is facing a humanitarian crisis along the border, adding that around 120,000 unaccompanied children and families came into the country in 2014. Last year, he said that number grew to 145,000 unaccompanied minors and families.

U.S. Border Patrol agents apprehended 136,986 unaccompanied minors and family members at the border in fiscal 2014, according to U.S. Customs and Border Protection figures. In fiscal 2018, Border Patrol apprehended 157,248 minors and families at the southwest border. Those figures include children who traveled from El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Mexico.

Johnson said the U.S. is facing a growing crisis along the border, noting that immigration laws need to be reformed.

“If we come up with a solution here, let’s make sure we actually identify the root causes,” he said. “Take a look at not only where we need better barriers, but where are the holes in these laws.”

The senator said a barrier at the border would “absolutely” work to prevent illegal immigration, claiming it would free up Border Protection agents to patrol ports of entry.

Democratic leaders House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer have refused the president’s request for $5.7 billion in funding for border security that would include a barrier at the U.S.-Mexico border. Democrats have pushed Trump to approve a spending bill, reopen the government and negotiate border security separately.

The U.S. House passed a bill put forth by Democrats on Wednesday to reopen the government through Feb. 8. The legislation would provide $14 billion in emergency funds for recent natural disasters. The bill was approved 237-187 on Wednesday, but it’s not expected to advance in the U.S. Senate. The White House said President Trump would veto the bill without any agreement to address border security.

On Wednesday, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi sent a letter to the president, asking him to postpone his State of the Union address scheduled for Jan. 29 until the government reopens. Republicans are calling the move a political ploy to obstruct President Trump.