Dem Congressman: Bulldoze ‘Every Inch’ of Existing Border Barriers

Democrats on the House Homeland Security Committee lined up Wednesday to oppose a bill to beef up border security and build a wall on the Mexican border, but a representative from Texas took it a step further.

During a committee meeting to discuss the Border Security for America Act of 2017, Rep. Filemon Vela (D-Texas) expressed his dissatisfaction with the existing fencing that separates the United States and Mexico along parts of the nearly 2,000-mile border.

“I strongly oppose Trump’s wall,” he said. “In fact, I would take a bulldozer to every inch of existing structure on the U.S.-Mexican border.”

Vela, first elected in 2012 to represent a heavily Latino district that touches the Mexican border, spoke in favor of an amendment to the bill to define the wall. His sarcastic list snatched lines from President Donald Trump’s campaign speeches, including “big and beautiful,” “see through,” “not a fence,” and “has openings.”

The definition also included that it be solar, made of rebar and steel, and paid for by the Mexican government.

Vela said he would vote against his own amendment, offered as an attack on the proposed wall.

“I offer this amendment to provide the members of this committee the clearest picture to date of the conflicting and absurd vision that the president has for his wall,” he said. “A vote for this amendment is a vote for Donald Trump’s vision. A ‘yes’ vote on this amendment is a vote for his big, beautiful wall.”

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Rep. Michael McCaul (R-Texas), chairman of the committee, indicated that Vela’s stunt would not stop the bill from advancing.

“Let me just say that I appreciate the gentleman’s creativity in his amendment and his sense of humor, but I will oppose this amendment,” he said.

The bill calls for additional customs agents and U.S. Border Patrol officers, improved technology, and new physical barriers. It also would upgrade the land ports of entry.