Republican Rep. Dan Crenshaw giving up paychecks till border security is funded: 'Our national security is at stake'

Rep. Dan Crenshaw (R-Texas) has announced that he plans to give up his paychecks until the partial government shutdown is over — and border security is addressed and funded.

What did he say?

In a tweet posted Thursday, Crenshaw, wrote, "I cannot in good conscience get paid while federal employees' financial futures hang in the balance because of this partial government shutdown."

"I've asked the Chief Administrative Officer to withhold my pay until we have come to an agreement to adequately fund border security," he added.

Crenshaw shared a copy of the signed letter on Twitter, which was addressed to Chief Administrative Officer Phil Kiko.

A portion of the letter read, "I am writing to request that my pay be withheld during this partial government shutdown until an appropriations agreement has taken effect.

"Our national security is at stake, operating both with weak borders and a weakened federal infrastructure," he added. "Many of my constituents are fellow public servants affected by the shutdown, and I cannot receive a paycheck while they go without."

I cannot in good conscience get paid while federal employees' financial futures hang in the balance because of this partial government shutdown. I've asked the Chief Administrative Officer to withhold my pay until we have come to an agreement to adequately fund border security. pic.twitter.com/2g37vAAtx2
— Rep. Dan Crenshaw (@RepDanCrenshaw) January 10, 2019

Crenshaw, a U.S. Navy SEAL veteran, supports funding for construction of a wall along the U.S.-Mexico border.

Anything else?

As recent as Tuesday, Crenshaw tweeted about the need for such border fortification.

He wrote, "The problems on the border need to be addressed. 400,000 illegal aliens being apprehended per year while crossing an open border is completely unsustainable.

"The problem must be solved in a multifaceted way. Physical barriers are a necessary part of that solution. Just ask the migrant caravan when they arrived in Tijuana, where the wall prevented them from overrunning our border agents. Walls mitigate movement. Period," Crenshaw continued.

"Walls are necessary," the newly minted lawmaker added, "but of course we recognize that they aren't the only solution. Some places require different methods, as the President's plan recognizes. Drones, sensors, more patrols, etc. It all works together, and physical barriers are a part of that."

Crenshaw continued, "A wall in one location frees up manpower resources in another. This is important when understanding why we are okay with building in some areas and waiting on others."

In conclusion, he wrote, "Dismissing a wall or fence as an 'ineffective' or '4th century' solution is an attempt to undermine the plan without providing any logical reasoning. Don't succumb to lazy arguments. Let's think this through, and reopen the government with adequate funding for border security."

Tonight, the President will be speaking on border security. Some things to keep in mind:

1) The problems on the border need to be addressed. 400,000 illegal aliens being apprehended per year while crossing an open border is completely unsustainable.
— Rep. Dan Crenshaw (@RepDanCrenshaw) January 9, 2019

3) Walls are necessary, but of course we recognize that they aren't the only solution. Some places require different methods, as the President's plan recognizes. Drones, sensors, more patrols, etc. It all works together, and physical barriers are a part of that.
— Rep. Dan Crenshaw (@RepDanCrenshaw) January 9, 2019

5) Dismissing a wall or fence as an “ineffective" or “4th century" solution is an attempt to undermine the plan without providing any logical reasoning. Don't succumb to lazy arguments. Let's think this through, and reopen the government with adequate funding for border security.
— Rep. Dan Crenshaw (@RepDanCrenshaw) January 9, 2019