Rep. Josh Gottheimer (D-Wyckoff) is not headed to the Rio Grande Valley on Friday to visit the border between the United States and Mexico as part of the bi-partisan congressional Problem Solvers Caucus, despite a statement that gave the impression he was.
It appears that Gottheimer took a press release announcing some of his colleagues would make the trip, added his quote to the top, and then sent it out.
“Like so many Americans, I remain deeply concerned about the humanitarian crisis at our border that is affecting so many children and families,” Gottheimer said. “It’s important that members of the Problem Solvers Caucus are able to speak with experts on the ground during their inspection of the facilities there.”
Later, Gottheimer’s office said the congressman will go in two weeks and not with the rest of the group on July 19.
It’s possible that Gottheimer was simply anxious to latch on to what others were doing and the miscommunication was inadvertent.
The House members, but not Gottheimer, will inspect the physical southern border, and will receiving briefings from experts on challengers facing border agents and immigrants, legal and illegal.