Sen. Jeff Merkley (D., Ore.) on Friday said President Donald Trump's proposed border wall has become a racist symbol.
"The wall itself, this 30-foot construction that many of the border guards say is not effective as a deterrent is not cost effective, is a 4th century challenge for a 20th century challenge, that has become a racist symbol," Merkley said.
Trump and Congress remain at an impasse over funding for Trump's proposed wall along the southern border. The standoff has resulted in a partial government shutdown that is now in its 35th day. Over 800,000 furloughed federal government workers have gone without a paycheck, with some of them still having to work.
The Senate voted on Thursday two bills that would reopen the government. One bill consisted of Trump's compromise where he gets $5.7 billion for the wall while extending protections for some children of illegal immigrants, known as DREAMers, and refugees under Temporary Protected Status. The other bill was a Democratic measure that didn't include any funding for the wall. Both bills failed to get the 60 votes necessary.
The senator was asked whether he agreed with Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi's (D., Calif.) position that the wall is immoral and will not be included in any agreement.
"I do agree that it has become a symbol of an approach, an attitude towards those fleeing persecution around the world and arriving on our border," Merkley said. "It is now a symbol to child separation, a system of child prisons across this country that in December had 15,000 children under the Trump organization. Family internment camps that the president has been seeking to expand and just a very callous attitude towards those who arrive, here in our country, a country where most all of us are immigrants."
Right before the new year, Merkley claimed Democrats would not support any funding for a border wall. However, some Democrats have come out and said they would support some physical barriers along the border.