Rep. Katie Hill (D., Calif.) on Tuesday said she would support physical barriers on the U.S.–Mexico border based on the recommendation of border security experts.
CNN host Brooke Baldwin noted that Hill has previously said that she would vote for legislation that includes funding for border barriers. When Baldwin asked her if she had "implored" Democratic leadership to cut a deal with President Donald Trump and Republicans, Hill said Democrats are working to prevent a shutdown.
"Well, I don't even think I have to implore them, honestly. There's a great deal of desire to come to some kind of agreement. We don't want to have another shutdown," Hill said
Baldwin then pressed Hill, saying she doesn't think Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (D., Calif.) has supported barriers, prompting Hill to say, "I think that so much of this is around semantics, which is really frustrating."
"There's a lot of agreement that border security is necessary, that sometimes that's going to include money for barriers of some kind," she added. Hill went on to say they have moved beyond a 2,000-mile concrete wall and are focused on finding compromise.
This isn't the first time Hill has expressed support for barriers. She said last month "some kind of physical barrier is necessary," but Democrats are split on that question.
"We know that there’s already fencing and other physical barriers across the border in many different places, but there are gaps," Hill said. "For many of us, there’s not really doubt that some kind of physical barrier is necessary."
Hill later said people are getting hung up on the word "wall" and they need to get over it.
"We've got to stop it. Just ban the word 'wall' in the dictionary and the world will be a much better place," Hill said.