Block Border Wall Construction in Big Bend National Park

Vote to protect Big Bend National Park from border wall construction. The Trump administration has already waived environmental laws and awarded a contract to build 30-foot barriers there — with construction set to begin this summer. This is a national treasure, and Congress needs to stop it. The case for this wall doesn't hold up. Big Bend sector apprehensions totaled just 3,096 in FY2025 — 1.3% of all U.S.-Mexico border crossings. CBP Commissioner Rodney Scott himself wrote in May that the agency had no plans for 30-foot barriers in the park and would rely on cameras, sensors, and low-profile vehicle barriers instead. Even Republican congressional candidate Brandon Herrera said at an April rally that "nobody wants this wall in Big Bend." Rep. Veronica Escobar put it plainly: building here is like putting a wall through the Grand Canyon. Rep. Cuellar's amendment to block DHS funding for barriers in Big Bend National Park and Big Bend State Park was the right call. It failed on a party-line vote, but this fight isn't over. Other Texas public lands — Santa Ana Wildlife Refuge, Bentsen-Rio Grande Valley State Park — are already protected by appropriations law. Big Bend deserves the same protection. Use every legislative tool available to stop this construction before it starts.