Bipartisan Southwest Caucus Co-Chairs Vasquez and Ciscomani Statement on the Impact of the Potential Shutdown on the Border

WASHINGTON, D.C. - On Wednesday, September 27, 2023, U.S. Representative Gabe Vasquez (D-NM-02) and U.S. Representative Juan Ciscomani (R-AZ-06) came together to discuss the impact the potential shutdown will have on the border, a feature of both of their districts. Vasquez and Ciscomani shared the following statement:

“If the government shuts down, the federal government is telling U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents and officers they must do their job without pay. These men and women deserve more respect than that,” said Vasquez and Ciscomani. “Now, as our communities continue to face a fentanyl crisis, the last thing we need is agents and officers who are not properly supported. Not only will a shutdown further crush the morale of our customs agents, but it would also delay our ports of entry and stifle local economies, especially those that depend on our strong trade partnership with Mexico. Nobody wins in a government shutdown. We are working together to find common-sense solutions for all our constituents.”

Vasquez and Ciscomani have been committed to bipartisan legislation that puts their constituents first. During their first week back from the August district work period, they introduced H.R. 5470, the VET MEDS Act, which would expand access to health care for rural veterans.

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