U.S. Senator Gary Peters and U.S. Representative Paul Mitchell both agree the federal government shutdown should be resolved. How to reach a deal, however, remains up for debate. Peters says border security is needed but a wall is not the answer. Speaking to WPHM this week, the democratic senator says a wall would not be the most effective use of taxpayer dollars. Instead, Peters is calling for more funding for the nation’s border crossings. “If you look at folks coming across the border, if you look at drugs coming across the border, it’s usually at legal ports of entry, ” said Peters. Instead of a wall, Peters is calling for funding to be used for more technology and man power at border crossings such as Port Huron’s Blue Water Bridges.
Meanwhile, republican congressman Paul Mitchell says he supports President Donald Trump’s calls for border barrier funding. Mitchell, also speaking to WPHM this week, says his colleagues should consider a deal put forth by the president to extend the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (D.A.C.A.) in exchange for southern border barrier funding. “All parties have to get their issues resolved,” said Mitchell, adding that a compromise will still need to “address what the president says we need to address.” Mitchell also says that congress did attempt to pass an amendment to pay federal government employees earlier this week but fell short of the necessary votes. It has been over a month since federal government employees, such as the U.S. Coast Guard and Transportation Security Agents have received paychecks.
Full interview with Senator Gary Peters:
Full interview with Congressman Paul Mitchell:
