The need for a wall along the Southern border is paramount. Despite the denial of the left, illegal immigration is a very real problem. Lawlessness has no place in this nation and must be fought at all costs. However, President Trump’s recent suggestion of a potential government shutdown attracted feedback that one might not have expected.
As reported by Business Insider, President Trump made the following statement on Tuesday night during an Arizona rally:
“If we have to close down our government, we're building that wall.”
The President’s determination to follow through on his word to the American people and halt illegal immigration is quite admirable. However, it would be in the best interests of everyone if a government shutdown is avoided. Several things happen when the government shuts down. First and foremost, the economy diminishes considerably; as a matter of fact, the last government shutdown cost the economy a shocking $24 billion dollars, according to Time. Other undesirable offshoots of government shutdowns come in the form of closed libraries, museums, and even the ceased processing of passport applications. A government shutdown should be avoided at nearly all costs.
Like all reform, the creation of the Southern border wall costs money. To begin the wall’s formation, a funding bill has to be passed in Congress, which obviously requires votes. Democrats have made their opposition to the border wall quite apparent.
Nancy Pelosi recently made the following remarks about President Trump’s plan to build the wall:
To prevent the closure of the government, Congress will have to approve a bill which provides funding for the wall before October. While many Americans support the Southern border wall, the President may very well be in for a battle with Congress, which seems determined to fight him at every turn. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer had the following statements on the matter:
Based on the above text, many Congresspeople are opposed to a border wall. Hopefully, the border wall will not turn into Obamacare 2.0 where nothing gets done. If Schumer and others in Congress are serious about wanting to steer clear of a government shutdown, they need to work with the President. Clashing egos rarely turn out well.
The Commander in Chief is not going to give up on the creation of the Southern border wall, nor should he. Halting illegal immigration by installing a wall was one of the central themes of his campaign. Many Americans voted for him because of this promise. He has to see it through. Otherwise, the 2020 election might not go in his favor. His political opponents are aware of this, as well, and likely working against him in Congress to sabotage his support and chances of re-election in 2020.
The fate of the border wall’s formation, or lack thereof, will only tell in time. Opposition from Democrats and Republicans alike does not make matters easier in any regard. Many lawmakers do not want to work together. Inflated egos are in overdrive. The unagreeable “my way or the highway” mentality does not work when a series of votes are needed to pass legislation.
Despite the President’s serious remarks about shutting down the government, if needed, Democrats do not seem to be phased. As Horizon Investment’s chief global strategist Greg Valliere stated:
The closer one follows the events taking place in Congress, the more apparent patterns become. It appears as though Democrats have decided to effectively block any and all major reforms that President Trump attempts to enact. They employed the same strategy with Obamacare [along with three Republicans], and they are doing it again now.
As previously stated, there is no way to know the fate of the Southern border wall. President Trump is determined to build it. Congress appears determined to stop him. Who will prevail? Will a government shutdown occur? Many Americans are hoping it does not. The pitfalls vastly outweigh any small benefits which may exist. If the wall is built, it will be very good for halting illegal immigration and prove to 2020 voters that President Trump is able to successfully engender reform. If the border wall falls through as did Obamacare did, this will be strike two for the President.
