Trahan: Border Wall Should Be On Table In Shutdown Negotiations

BOSTON, MA -- U.S. Rep. Lori Trahan (D-MA) said discussions about a border wall should be on the table as lawmakers try to negotiate with President Trump to reopen the federal government. Trump is scheduled to address the nation about border security and the ongoing government shutdown in a nationally-televised address Tuesday.

"I think everything should be at the table in any negotiation," Trahan said in an interview with Boston Herald Radio Monday. "We have to have a conversation about border security. We have to have a conversation about immigration reform. But right now we can absolutely open up the government and then deal with the wall separately."

Trahan's comments are in line with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA), but in stark contrast with freshman Massachusetts Rep. Ayanna Pressley. Over the weekend Pressley called it Trump’s "xenophobic hate wall" and has said she would not support spending any taxpayer money on it.

"Democrats are absolutely committed to securing our borders and keeping everybody who lives here safe, but doing that in a way that doesn’t cost the taxpayers a ridiculous amount of money," Trahan said, noting that some funding had already been earmarked for the wall.

Trahan, a self-described moderate Democrat, was elected in November to represent the 3rd Congressional District. The district, which includes Andover and stretches over large stretches of Essex, Middlesex and Worcester counties, is more than 18 percent Hispanic.

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Patch file photo.