Williams prefers Congressional action on border security over emergency declaration and wall
Rep. Roger Williams shook hands with constituents after his town hall Feb. 19 at the Burnet County Courthouse. Staff photo by Jared Fields
STAFF WRITER JARED FIELDS
Congressman Roger Williams admitted he was “selfish” when it came to his “hesitancy” in supporting President Donald Trump’s recent national emergency declaration to build a wall on the southern border.
Williams (R-Austin) shared his views on the declaration, among other topics, during a town hall meeting Feb. 19 at the Burnet County Courthouse in Burnet.
Williams represents the 25th Congressional District of Texas, which includes Austin to Fort Worth and all of Burnet County.
“I have never really been in support of that because we had put him in a corner by him having to do that because Congress didn’t do our job,” Williams said to a crowd of about 40 people. “And I’m talking about a Republican-held Congress didn’t do our job. We didn’t come up with a border security plan, and he was begging for that.”
Williams said he would prefer Congress to take action instead of seeing Trump declare a national emergency.
Speaking more broadly on immigration, Williams sees a need for an additional 5,000 more border patrol agents, investment in more technology along the border and ports of entry, and to make ports of entry larger.
“And there’s going to be some brick-and-mortar; that’s fine,” Williams said. “That’s a barricade; that’s what that is.”
Asked by an attendee if he wants to secure the border with a wall, Williams said no.
Williams’ hesitancy, as he said, comes from the money from which Trump could draw to fund border wall construction during a national emergency. Williams represents part of Fort Hood, which could lose funding for planned improvements on the base.
“I don’t know if I could ever do anything more in Congress that would make me prouder than to be able to have sixty-one million dollars to build new barracks for our men and women,” Williams said.
The emergency declaration has been challenged by a federal lawsuit from 16 states, led by California, and also including Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, and Virginia.
Williams spoke and answered questions for about an hour during the town hall, which was his second of the day. He held a town hall earlier Feb. 19 in Bee Cave. He previously held three in Cleburne, Glen Rose, and Meridian and has two planned for Feb. 20 in Hico and Stephenville.
6 thoughts on “Williams prefers Congressional action on border security over emergency declaration and wall”
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Mr. Congressman,
You understand that we need border security…but not ancient WALLS!!! Great Ronald Reagan…knew a Wall was not the answer, but what we need is smart technology, more drug dogs and agents. President Trump now has taken away part of your congressional power/responsibility…the power of the purse! He at will is taking away money allocated for our national defense….military purposes, improving our forts…like FORT HOOD!!!!! Or Better yet that money could improve in security for our upcoming elections…as Chris Wray has stated….50 states were targets by Russia!!!! I can’t believe that you are letting the TRUE REPUBLICAN PARTY go to ruins! The Republican party that I once knew and respected are now unconcerned about protecting the American People, separation of power, the equal branches of government….do not cater to any president! Oh, yea….what happened to being conservative on spending. Our budget will never be balanced and our national debt will only get worse. I hope China will still let the US borrow from them… as they hold most of the US debt.
I hope you hold another TOWN HALL soon. There is a lot your constituents would love to talk about.
Well Roger, why don’t you put the blame where it belongs? On that spineless blob Ryan and RINO protector McConnell. They both WASTED TWO YEARS kowtowing to the dem. socialists and the media. We NEED THAT WALL before the rest of central America WALKS up here to the open arms of the democratic socialists that want their (illegal) votes and the chamber of commerce types that want cheap labor while the government pays welfare to take care of their camp followers. BUILD THAT WALL!
I completely agree with you, you stood up for what you believe. Yes there is no reason to build a wall when the money can be spent on better technology no matter if the wall is built immigrants will find a way to come in
Old dog,
You’re absolutely correct, & I couldn’t agree more with you. Congress didn’t do your job, period. Desperate times call for desperate measures. It’s time to respect the office of the president & understand what it is he is trying & wants to do for America & the American people. This includes our safety, our borders.
We did not vote for you so you would cower down to the left. You’re suppose to represent your constituents. We want the wall. I can’t believe you have the nerve to admit you didn’t do your job. In the real world you would be fired for poor job performance. If you don’t support our President then I won’t support you. Our military may get the barracks but the immigrants will pour in to our country.. I thought Flake had retired!
Yeah Roger, you’re right; you and yours didn’t do your jobs. So, we should just suck it up and wait until Pelosi does hers? Not likely,. Desperate times call for desperate measures, and if you don’t have the stomach to do the right thing, then resign and let someone else do what needs doing. As for Hood, I appreciate your concern, but I think the DoD will make it right in the end since the post ain’t going anywhere, while we have hordes of ‘illegal immigrants’ coming North now …..