WASHINGTON, D.C. - Congressman Lance Gooden (R-TX) spoke during the debate over the Speaker's $2 billion plan to build a wall around the US Capitol.

Click here to view the remarks.

Congressman Gooden's remarks: 

"I rise in opposition to this bill. This partisan proposal would allocate over $2 billion of taxpayer resources for a wall around the US Capitol and spend money on other things like members' personal security at home.

"I don't believe the American people support that. I don't believe they understand what's in this bill, and I believe this would only serve to further separate the American people from their elected representatives here in Washington.

"It's not the way we do business in the United States of America. It's not the way we should do business, and there are so many issues that are more worthy of our attention.

"The crisis at our border is unlike anything we've ever seen. We're recording twenty-year highs in border crossings. But instead of completing the wall at our southern border, which would protect innocent children from being exploited by human traffickers and drug cartels, Democrats would rather spend $2 billion on a wall around this building in DC.

"This is this people's house, Madame Speaker, and I cannot support this proposal to take my constituents hard-earned money and use it to keep them out."