Texas Rep. Beto O'Rourke on migrant separations: 'This cannot be us'

EL PASO, Texas, Sept. 17 (UPI) -- At Austin High School, situated on a hill just a few miles from the Mexican border and with a stunning view of Ciudad Juarez, Mexico, U.S. Rep. Beto O'Rourke held his 99th and 100th town hall meetings Monday, taking questions from constituents and veterans.

Democrat O'Rourke has been El Paso's congressman since 2013 and these are his final months in that office. In November, O'Rourke hopes to unseat Republican Sen. Ted Cruz in what has become a closely watched race, the most expensive campaign in the current midterm elections. If O'Rourke can take the seat from Cruz, Republicans may lose their Senate majority.

At Monday's meetings, O'Rourke mixed patriotic thanks for constituents' military service with calls for passing the federal budget by the Oct. 1 deadline, overhauling immigration, protecting educational funding for all students and achieving universal healthcare.

Passing the federal budget is crucial, O'Rourke said, particularly for his constituents. El Paso ranks fifth in the nation for the concentration of federal government jobs, he said, pointing out what would happen to El Paso if the government shut down because Congress descends into partisan bickering.

Read more: https://www.upi.com/Top_News/US/2018/09/17/Texas-Rep-Beto-ORourke-on-migrant-separations-This-cannot-be-us/7781537219617/