The President made a forceful case for increased border security, which I have supported and will continue to support. It’s essential to any country’s security to have meaningful border security. I supported securing our border with barriers, walls, technology and fences more than a decade ago. Congress should come together with the President to finish the job.

But I don’t agree that it makes sense to furlough the people working on the biological opinion in the Klamath Basin, forest fuels reductions in central Oregon, or grazing permits in eastern Oregon. How does a nearly month-long work stoppage benefit taxpayers who are waiting for decisions and plans and permits? And we know not many people can afford to miss a paycheck, so I have empathy for the federal workers and their families who are caught up in this.