CNN host pushes back on GOP lawmaker’s claim: ‘Hold on, diseases are not pouring into the country’

CNN host Alisyn Camerota on Wednesday pushed back against GOP Rep. Brad Wenstrup’s (Ohio) claim that diseases are pouring into the U.S. through the southern border, saying she wanted to “fact check” him. 

“Congressman, hold on one second. … Diseases are not pouring into the country,” Camerota said on CNN’s “New Day.”

The exchange occurred as the two discussed the government shutdown, as well President Trump’s demand for $5 billion in funds for a wall along the U.S.-Mexico border. 

Wenstrup said the push for a wall was not “a partisan issue,” but a way to create “what’s actually going to work best to keep Americans safe and secure.”

{mosads}”And I just don’t mean from terrorism,” he continued. “I mean so that we have a robust legal immigration system. And we can stop the flow of any diseases coming into our country, we can stop the flow of drugs coming in.”

Camerota shot back that diseases were not an issue that “this border wall situation is about.”

“That’s just not a crisis,” she said. “And one more thing about what you keep saying about drugs. As you know, the [Drug Enforcement Agency] says that the heroin that is coming into our country and creating this scourge comes through legal ports of entry through private passenger cars and through tractor trailers. A wall won’t solve that.”

Wenstrup, however, said he does think a wall will help solve the problems at the border. 

“Let’s sit down and have that conversation, then,” he argued. “If that’s the point you want to make or someone wants to make … it helps to sit down at the table and talk about it.”

The government shutdown, which was triggered after Republicans and Democrats failed to come to an agreement on a new spending bill, is now into its 26th day, making it the longest in U.S. history. 

Trump has demanded that funds for a wall be included in the legislation, arguing that a humanitarian crisis is taking place at the border. Democrats have repeatedly opposed the demand.