| Today, Congressman Rob Wittman (R – VA01) appeared on Fox News to comment on the federal government shutdown and how it is related to ongoing discussions about border security. During the on-air interview, Wittman said, “people have a right to expect their government to work.” He went on to state that the American people are coming to understand how bad the crisis is at the southern border.His hypocritical statements today on Fox News are nothing less than an insult to the intelligence of the people of the 1st District and all Americans.
First, Rob Wittman says he wants to reopen the government, but he actually voted against doing so. Not only did he miss a vote on the House floor to consider the legislation to reopen the government, once the legislation was up for final vote, he voted against it.
Second, he stated that he asked Speaker Pelosi to keep the House in session through the weekend to come up with an agreement to fund the border wall to end the shutdown.
To that I have one simple answer: 382 days.
That’s how many Legislative Days the House of Representatives was in session during the 115th Congress (2017-18). The GOP House and Senate majorities had 382 days to pass bills to fund the border wall. Rob Wittman had 382 days to make the border wall a top priority and do something about it. Instead, Rob Wittman voted repeatedly for spending bill after spending bill and never said a single word about a border wall.
It is clear to me and the people of the 1st District that Rob Wittman’s concern about the border wall is purely partisan and political in nature.
Third, Rob Wittman stated that the American people and even The Washington Post recognizes that there is a crisis at the border. What he failed to mention was that The Post’s coverage cited the current administration as the reason for the crisis. Wittman failed to mention that more people are returning to Mexico than entering from Mexico. He also failed to mention that the border crisis has been largely created by separating immigrant families (and keeping children in detention facilities) and refusing to follow existing laws when it comes to those seeking asylum.
It’s a sad day when Congressman Rob Wittman must resort to outright dishonesty to justify his political positions. Instead of fighting for the tens of thousands of families who are being negatively impacted by the shutdown, Rob Wittman is playing petty partisan politics.
I’ve said it before and I will certainly say it again: I don’t care whether it’s a Democrat or Republican in the White House, I don’t care who’s in the leadership in Congress, I will always stand up for what’s right for the people of the 1st District.
It’s sad that Rob Wittman can’t or won’t do the same.
That’s why we deserve better. |
