US Rep. Adam Kinzinger deployed with Air National Guard to southern border

Rep. Adam Kinzinger (R-Ill), a current member of the Air National Guard, has been deployed along with other National Guard troops to the U.S.-Mexico border.

What's the story?

In a statement, Kinzinger's communications director, Maura Gillespie, said:

Earlier this week, Congressman Kinzinger was deployed to the U.S.-Mexico border with his Air National Guard Unit, and is serving on active duty in his capacity as Lieutenant Colonel. As with his previous border missions while elected, the Congressman will stay within the United States.

The Congressman is humbled to serve his IL-16 community here in the People's House and equally proud to serve as a reconnaissance pilot in the AIr Guard. In both of these roles, Congessman Kinzinger fights to make our national security strong, our border more secure, and our communities safer.

Kinzinger, 40, is currently in his fourth term in Congress. He began serving in the Air Force before he was elected in 2010. He served both during Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom.

Trump ordered 3,750 more troops to the border in early February, to reinforce the 4,350 troops already deployed there. In addition to helping Customs and Border Protection with extra manpower, these troops have also installed about 105 miles worth of wire barriers. The Pentagon has granted approval for these troops to be deployed at the border through the end of September.

Because of his deployment, Kinzinger will miss Thursday's vote on a spending bill that includes some funding for 55 miles of border fencing.

What else?

Kinzinger isn't the only member of Congress who is on active duty. Presidential hopeful Rep. Tulsi Gabbard (D-Hawaii) is a major in the Hawaii National Guard. Gabbard, however, has not been deployed.