Border-district Republicans skeptical about Trump’s wall – The Hill
House Republicans representing areas along the Mexican border are leery of President Trumps plan to build a wall through their districts.
Three Republican lawmakers say undertaking such a massive project will fall short of alleviating the issues surrounding border security.
Rep. Will Hurd (R-Texas), who represents the largest region along the Mexican border of any member of Congress, actively opposes the wall, a cornerstone of Trumps campaign.
Their lack of enthusiasm means there isnt a single border-area lawmaker who vocally supports the construction of a wall in their district.
There are six deep-blue districts along the Mexican border from California to Texas all represented in the House by Democrats unified against Trumps wall plan and home to voters who dont want a wall in their backyards.
Voters in the regions along the border which have significant Hispanic populations predominantly favored Democratic nominee Hillary ClintonHillary Rodham ClintonMorgan Freeman on Trump: 'It feels like we are jumping off a cliff' Dont doubt Trump when it comes to the VA Border-district Republicans skeptical about Trumps wall MORE over Trump last November.
Representing border districts are Democratic Reps. Juan Vargas (Calif.), Ral Grijalva (Ariz.), Beto ORourke (Texas), Henry Cuellar (Texas), Vicente Gonzlez (Texas) and Filemon Vela (Texas).
Pearces southern New Mexico district was the only one along the border that Trump won on Nov. 8.
Hurd and McSally, on the other hand, face a tricky balancing act in Trumps presidency after both of their swing districts narrowly went to Clinton.
After Trump signed an executive order last week taking steps toward building the wall, Hurd issued a statement breaking with his fellow Republicans to make clear he wasnt on board.
Hurd noted that it would be impossible to build a physical wall in many parts of the more than 800 miles of the border in his district.
Building a wall is the most expensive and least effective way to secure the border, he said.
Each section of the border faces unique geographical, cultural, and technological challenges that would be best addressed with a flexible, sector-by-sector approach that empowers the agents on the ground with the resources they need. A wall may be an effective tool in densely populated areas, but a variety of tools are needed between Brownsville, Texas, and San Diego, California.
Neither McSally nor Pearce went as far as Hurd, but both indicated that a one-size-fits-all strategy of a wall along the entire Mexican border doesnt seem feasible.
McSally described Trumps executive order, which also calls for hiring 5,000 additional Border Patrol agents, as a strong start in the right direction.
But McSally, who chairs a House Homeland Security subcommittee on border security, was less effusive about the executive orders directions for building the wall.
When it comes to barriers, they are important where appropriate, but only part of the equation. What we need is a comprehensive strategy to grow situational awareness, build operational control and dismantle the cartels and their networks, she said.
And Pearce, a member of the conservative House Freedom Caucus, signaled that he doesnt think a wall alone would prevent illegal immigration.
Building a wall or increasing the number of Border Patrol agents alone will not fix the faults with our border security, he said. We must enforce the laws we have and create a new strategy that will reform the way we patrol and protect the border.
Pearce told the Albuquerque Journal after the November elections that the wall wouldnt turn out to be the solution Trump and his supporters believe it to be.
It can be cheated, Pearce said at the time. We communicated that we thought its not going to work because we see people going under it, around it and over it.
But other Republicans are eager to get the project started.
Rep. Steve King (R-Iowa), an immigration hawk whose district is more than 1,000 miles away from the border, even has a scale model of the proposed structure that he showed off in a photo with new Secretary of Homeland Security John Kelly.
GOP leaders are making clear they want to make progress on one of Trumps key campaign promises within the first year of his administration. Speaker Paul RyanPaul RyanGOP chairman defends staff who helped draft Trump travel order The Hill's 12:30 Report Pelosi aide apologizes after accusing Ryan of cursing reporters MORE (R-Wis.) said after the joint House-Senate GOP retreat last week that he expects Congress to take up an emergency funding package to provide American taxpayer funding for the walls construction.
Estimates for its cost range from $10 billion to $20 billion. Trump pledged on the campaign trail that Mexico would pay for it, though Republicans havent laid out definitive plans for how to offset the walls cost or who will end up with the bill.
White House press secretary Sean Spicer floated the idea of a 20 percent tax on imports from Mexico last week, later clarifying that such a move is just one option the White House is considering.
Mexican leaders have said repeatedly they wont pay for the wall, and the disagreement led Mexican President Enrique Pea Nieto to cancel a meeting with Trump originally set for this week.
Read more from the original source:
Border-district Republicans skeptical about Trump's wall - The Hill
- Republicans Target Democrats Over Transgender Policies in This Years Races - wsj.com - October 19th, 2025 [October 19th, 2025]
- Jeffries warns of swift and decisive legal action if Republicans refuse to seat Grijalva - The Hill - October 19th, 2025 [October 19th, 2025]
- Trump wants to get rid of mail voting. Pa. Republicans are urging voters to use it. - 90.5 WESA - October 19th, 2025 [October 19th, 2025]
- Vermont Republicans gather to discuss local issues and party reorganization efforts - WCAX - October 19th, 2025 [October 19th, 2025]
- JD Vance ignores public backlash in refusing to condemn racist group chat by Young Republicans - Milwaukee Independent - October 19th, 2025 [October 19th, 2025]
- What Michigan Republicans are saying in response to No Kings protests - ClickOnDetroit | WDIV Local 4 - October 19th, 2025 [October 19th, 2025]
- Trump turns up the pressure on Indiana Republicans to redistrict - Politico - October 19th, 2025 [October 19th, 2025]
- Republicans Should Be AfraidJust Look at Who Joined No Kings Protests - The New Republic - October 19th, 2025 [October 19th, 2025]
- New York State Young Republicans organization disbanded amid fallout over racist group chat report - CBS News - October 19th, 2025 [October 19th, 2025]
- ICYMI: Rosen Talks to Nevadans Affected by Republicans Refusal to Extend Affordable Care Act Tax Credits, Reopen Government - U.S. Senate (.gov) - October 19th, 2025 [October 19th, 2025]
- David M. Drucker: Republicans are becoming the party of big government - Pioneer Press - October 19th, 2025 [October 19th, 2025]
- Trump can't run again. It's Republicans who have to answer for him with voters. | Opinion - USA Today - October 19th, 2025 [October 19th, 2025]
- After Racist Texts, New York G.O.P. Is Set to Disband Young Republicans - The New York Times - October 17th, 2025 [October 17th, 2025]
- Opinion | Are these young Republicans the future? If so, the partys in trouble. - The Washington Post - October 17th, 2025 [October 17th, 2025]
- Some GOP leaders call for resignation of Young Republicans who allegedly texted slurs, racist messages - ABC News - Breaking News, Latest News and... - October 17th, 2025 [October 17th, 2025]
- LEADER JEFFRIES: REPUBLICANS CONTINUE TO DO THE SAME EXACT THING AND EXPECT DIFFERENT RESULTS. THATS THE CLASSIC DEFINITION OF LEGISLATIVE INSANITY ... - October 17th, 2025 [October 17th, 2025]
- NC Republicans release map they hope will help GOP pick up another Congressional seat - WUNC - October 17th, 2025 [October 17th, 2025]
- Vance again downplays Young Republicans texts, looks to shift attention to Virginia AG race - Politico - October 17th, 2025 [October 17th, 2025]
- Schumer Calls on Trump and Vance to Condemn Young Republicans Texts - The New York Times - October 17th, 2025 [October 17th, 2025]
- Pressley Slams Republicans for Raising Healthcare Costs for Families, Shutting Down Government - House.gov - October 17th, 2025 [October 17th, 2025]
- Vance on Young Republicans chat: Thats what kids do - The Hill - October 17th, 2025 [October 17th, 2025]
- Speaker Johnson on Day 16 of the Democrat Shutdown: While House Republicans Help American Families Navigate the Democrat Shutdown, House Democrats are... - October 17th, 2025 [October 17th, 2025]
- Supreme Court backs Fontes on election rulebook creation process, handing defeat to Republicans - Arizona Mirror - October 17th, 2025 [October 17th, 2025]
- Multiple GOP offices received flags with 'optical illusion' swastikas earlier this year, Republicans say - NBC News - October 17th, 2025 [October 17th, 2025]
- Dem Rep. says Republicans need to "listen to Marjorie Taylor Greene" to end the shutdown - CNN - October 17th, 2025 [October 17th, 2025]
- The Supreme Court Case That Could Hand the House to Republicans - The New York Times - October 17th, 2025 [October 17th, 2025]
- JD Vance reacts to Young Republicans leaked Telegram group chat - USA Today - October 17th, 2025 [October 17th, 2025]
- A Supreme Court ruling on voting rights could boost Republicans' redistricting efforts - NPR - October 17th, 2025 [October 17th, 2025]
- ICYMI: Congressman Ro Khanna Slams Republicans for Shutting Down the Government and Hiding the Epstein Files - Democrats - October 17th, 2025 [October 17th, 2025]
- NC Republicans release map they hope will help GOP pick up another Congressional seat - WFAE - October 17th, 2025 [October 17th, 2025]
- AOC says Republicans are refusing to work to end shutdown - CNN - October 17th, 2025 [October 17th, 2025]
- JD Vance tells outraged Dems to grow up about young Republicans leaked texts - New York Post - October 17th, 2025 [October 17th, 2025]
- As ballots drop, Democrats and Republicans across Washington are keeping a close eye on the 26th Legislative District - Northwest Progressive... - October 17th, 2025 [October 17th, 2025]
- The Young Republicans Leaked Chat Is a Sign of Where We Could Be Headed - Politico - October 17th, 2025 [October 17th, 2025]
- Republicans Face Fallout From Racist and Homophobic Texts - The New York Times - October 17th, 2025 [October 17th, 2025]
- Analysis | The truths beneath Republicans shutdown strategy - The Washington Post - October 15th, 2025 [October 15th, 2025]
- LEADER JEFFRIES: "REPUBLICANS HAVE SHUT THE GOVERNMENT DOWN BECAUSE OF THEIR UNWILLINGNESS TO PROVIDE HEALTHCARE TO EVERYDAY AMERICANS" -... - October 15th, 2025 [October 15th, 2025]
- Full List of Young Republicans Involved in Offensive Chats - Newsweek - October 15th, 2025 [October 15th, 2025]
- The Virginia counties where Republicans will need to regain ground in the governor's race: From the Politics Desk - NBC News - October 15th, 2025 [October 15th, 2025]
- Young Republicans Demand Resignation of Leaders Allegedly Involved in Racist Group Chat - NOTUS News of the United States - October 15th, 2025 [October 15th, 2025]
- The redistricting fight is still going. Republicans are winning. - Yahoo - October 15th, 2025 [October 15th, 2025]
- Five Republicans, one Democrat running to fill vacancy in Oklahoma House - Oklahoma Voice - October 15th, 2025 [October 15th, 2025]
- MSU College Republicans paint over Indigenous Peoples' Day artwork on The Rock - The State News - October 15th, 2025 [October 15th, 2025]
- Republicans Thought Democrats Would Cave on the Shutdown. Now They Expect Them to Drag It Out. - NOTUS News of the United States - October 15th, 2025 [October 15th, 2025]
- Kansas Young Republicans shut down after leaders involvement in sprawling chat involving numerous slurs, threats against opponents - KVOE - October 15th, 2025 [October 15th, 2025]
- Republicans talk government shutdown and cheer ICE arrest of superintendent at Roast and Ride - Iowa Public Radio - October 15th, 2025 [October 15th, 2025]
- Johnson says he had 'thoughtful' conversation with MTG about bucking Republicans on healthcare - Politico - October 13th, 2025 [October 13th, 2025]
- Why Republicans attempts to kill Obamacare keep backfiring - The Washington Post - October 13th, 2025 [October 13th, 2025]
- Republicans Arent Just Gutting Health Care. Theyre Taking Your Sick Leave, Too - Rolling Stone - October 13th, 2025 [October 13th, 2025]
- Republicans hope Erika Kirk can bring more young women into the party - NBC News - October 13th, 2025 [October 13th, 2025]
- Republicans who voted for RFK Jr. baffled by his autism-circumcision claims - The Independent - October 13th, 2025 [October 13th, 2025]
- Republicans try to weaken 50-year-old law protecting whales, seals and polar bears - ABC News - Breaking News, Latest News and Videos - October 13th, 2025 [October 13th, 2025]
- Sen. Chuck Schumer says Republicans are 'feeling the heat' about the American health care crisis - MSNBC News - October 13th, 2025 [October 13th, 2025]
- Oakland University police are investigating after Oakland County Republicans said a student at the school published a social media post calling for... - October 13th, 2025 [October 13th, 2025]
- Republicans try to weaken 50-year-old law protecting whales, seals and polar bears - AP News - October 13th, 2025 [October 13th, 2025]
- Few Legislative Republicans Break with Trump on Jailing Pritzker - The Illinoize - October 13th, 2025 [October 13th, 2025]
- Press Release: Senator Mark Kelly Urges Republicans to Address Rising Health Care Costs During Recent Interviews - Quiver Quantitative - October 13th, 2025 [October 13th, 2025]
- GOP leaders are encouraging Pennsylvania Republicans to embrace mail-in voting. It appears to be working. - Post-Gazette - October 13th, 2025 [October 13th, 2025]
- KING: The College Republicans letter to the Board dishonors the University - The Cavalier Daily - October 13th, 2025 [October 13th, 2025]
- Amid sagging revenues, NH Republicans to push for lowering key business tax - New Hampshire Public Radio - October 13th, 2025 [October 13th, 2025]
- Republicans try to weaken 50-year-old law credited with saving rare whales - Yahoo News UK - October 13th, 2025 [October 13th, 2025]
- Letter to the editor: This is what Republicans are supporting - The Mendocino Voice - October 13th, 2025 [October 13th, 2025]
- Republicans Have an Opportunity to Score in New York Inside Sources - Prescott eNews - October 13th, 2025 [October 13th, 2025]
- Condemns Senate Republicans for Attacking Abortion Access Instead of Working to Reopen the Government - Reproductive Freedom for All - Reproductive... - October 11th, 2025 [October 11th, 2025]
- Bookman: Republicans will pay for inaction on expiring health care subsidies - Georgia Recorder - October 11th, 2025 [October 11th, 2025]
- Republicans vote to roll back Biden-era restrictions on mining and drilling in 3 Western states - ABC News - Breaking News, Latest News and Videos - October 11th, 2025 [October 11th, 2025]
- MAGA Republicans Threaten Going Nuclear To End Government Shutdown - Yahoo News Singapore - October 11th, 2025 [October 11th, 2025]
- WisDems: Wisconsin Republicans fight to raise health care prices by keeping the government shutdown - WisPolitics - October 11th, 2025 [October 11th, 2025]
- Colorado Democrats push Republicans to negotiate on health care to reopen federal government - Colorado Newsline - October 11th, 2025 [October 11th, 2025]
- Republicans reject push to block Trump from using Qatari jet as Air Force One - Politico - October 11th, 2025 [October 11th, 2025]
- Ohio Republicans want public schools to teach positive impacts of Christianity on history - Ohio Capital Journal - October 11th, 2025 [October 11th, 2025]
- The Supreme Court Has the Chance to Give Republicans a Big Hand in the Midterms - Hungarian Conservative - October 11th, 2025 [October 11th, 2025]
- Article | Republicans are in disarray one week into the shutdown - POLITICO Pro - October 11th, 2025 [October 11th, 2025]
- Republicans Pushed Hundreds of Bills This Year to Curtail Local Governments - EXPOSEDbyCMD - October 11th, 2025 [October 11th, 2025]
- Tensions Heighten Between Texas GOP Executive Committee and House Republicans Ahead of Censure Vote - The Texan - October 11th, 2025 [October 11th, 2025]
- Two Republicans vote with Dems as Senate GOP spikes bid to block Trump's strikes on drug-smuggling boats - Fox News - October 11th, 2025 [October 11th, 2025]
- Republicans think theyre winning the messaging war even as polls show theyre losing - MSNBC News - October 9th, 2025 [October 9th, 2025]
- Ranking Members Raskin, Swalwell Statement on Senate Republicans Misdirected Outrage Regarding DOJs Investigation of the Criminal Conspiracy to... - October 9th, 2025 [October 9th, 2025]
- Senate Republicans vote against check on Trump using deadly force against cartels - The Guardian - October 9th, 2025 [October 9th, 2025]
- Vance heads to Indiana after Republicans warn White House of stalled redistricting push - Politico - October 9th, 2025 [October 9th, 2025]