Transcript: Trump's Address On Border Security And Democratic Response
In a prime-time address from the Oval Office, President Trump argued there is a "crisis of the heart" when it comes to border security. He pressed Congress yet again to pass $5.7 billion for the U.S.-Mexico border, a demand Democrats have refused.
After his remarks, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., voiced their objections. They urged the president to "re-open the government," which has been partially shuttered since Dec. 22, and to "separate the shutdown from the arguments over border security."
Read the full transcripts from both the president and the Democratic leaders below. You can read a fact check of the remarks here.
President Trump
My fellow Americans: Tonight, I am speaking to you because there is a growing humanitarian and security crisis at our southern border.
Every day, Customs and Border Patrol agents encounter thousands of illegal immigrants trying to enter our country. We are out of space to hold them, and we have no way to promptly return them back home to their country.
America proudly welcomes millions of lawful immigrants who enrich our society and
