Congressman Andy Biggs Submits Amendments to Build the Wall and Defund Planned Parenthood

Washington, D.C. – Today, Congressman Andy Biggs announced the submission of two amendments to the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2017. One amendment appropriates $1.4 billion for construction of a wall along the international border between the United States and Mexico. The second amendment prohibits any funds appropriated in the resolution from flowing to Planned Parenthood Federation of America, any affiliate or clinic of Planned Parenthood, or any successor of Planned Parenthood. Congressman Biggs released the following statement:

"I was disappointed to learn that the recently negotiated omnibus compromise did not include sufficient funding for a border wall and doesn't prevent taxpayer funding for Planned Parenthood. Building the wall and defunding of Planned Parenthood were two central promises repeatedly made by Republicans, including me, on the campaign trail, and I hope that the omission of these items will be corrected.

"These two issues represent more than mere campaign promises; rather, they are vital to our national and domestic security of millions of innocent Americans. A country without borders – and a border wall – is a country whose sovereignty and security are at risk. A country that does not value and defend the sanctity of life has lost its way. These two funding battles are fights worth having, and I am committed to following through on the promises I made to my constituents by offering these amendments for consideration."

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Congressman Andy Biggs is a first-term Representative from Arizona's Fifth Congressional District, representing parts of Chandler, Gilbert, Mesa, Sun Lakes, and Queen Creek. Congressman Biggs is a member of the House Judiciary and Science, Space, and Technology committees, and is the chairman of the Environment Subcommittee. He lives with his wife Cindy in Gilbert.