Washington, D.C. (July 27, 2017) Congressman Steve Pearce today voted against a procedural motion in the House of Representatives that adds full funding for the construction of a physical border wall to the national security appropriations bill without debate or a vote. Votes such as this one are procedural motions that establish how bills will be debated on the floor. Including the funding for the border wall in today's procedural motion is a unique and rarely used maneuver.

"I fully support securing the border – it is imperative for the safety and security of New Mexico and our nation. The solution must utilize modern technology and update the strategy our nation uses to patrol the border. Today's vote for the procedural motion automatically included funding for the construction of a physical wall along the border, without the ability for Members to debate and consider the addition of technology and other modernization reforms to our nation's strategy, especially as it affects the protections of Border Patrol agents who are in harm's way on a daily basis. Votes on procedural motions are typically straight forward, however, the complexity of this one with funding for a border wall, without normal debate, were the key factors in my decision."