Congressman Mac Thornberry (R-Clarendon) voted today for a $1.3 trillion spending bill that includes funding for everything from infrastructure projects to the proposed wall along the Mexico-United States border.
On Tuesday, the U.S. House of Representatives voted for the omnibus spending bill, known as the TARGET Act, by a tally of 256-167. The vote included support from a majority of Republicans and Democrats in the U.S. House, while 90 Republicans and 77 Democrats broke with the majority to vote against the bill.
Thornberry was one of most Texas Republicans who voted in favor of the spending legislation. Six Texas Republicans, meanwhile, broke with the leadership to oppose the legislation. Those legislators are: Brian Babin (R-Woodville), Joe Barton (R-Ennis), Blake Farenthold (R-Corpus Christi), Louie Gohmert (R-Tyler), Ted Poe (R-Humble), and John Ratcliffe (R-Heath). Five Texas Democrats voted for the bill, including El Paso Democrat Beto O'Rourke, who is running for the U.S. Senate. Six Democrats voted against the legislation.
The bill secures funding for a variety of projects, notably the border wall along the U.S.-Mexico border. Representatives voted to allocate $1.6 billion toward the wall, while shutting down the Trump Administration's proposal to build the wall in part of the Santa Ana National Wildlife Refuge.
Members of the U.S. Senate have not yet voted on the bill. Neither of Texas' senators John Cornyn or Ted Cruz, have made any indication on whether they would vote for the bill. However, Senator Rand Paul (R-Kentucky), a one-time Cruz ally, announced on social media that he was disappointed with the rushed schedule of the bill.
For more information, please visit clerk.house.gov.
