PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — U.S. Rep. Greg Walden parted ways with his Republican party and voted for the Democratic bill aimed at reopening the government.

Walden joined six other House Republicans in voting for the Democratic plan.

The vote took place Thursday, Jan. 3.

Walden supports increased border security and said he supported securing the border with barriers, walls, technology and fences more than a decade ago. However, he recently said in a statement:

“I don’t agree that it makes sense to furlough the people working on the biological opinion in the Klamath Basin, forest fuels reductions in central Oregon, or grazing permits in eastern Oregon. How does a nearly month-long work stoppage benefit taxpayers who are waiting for decisions and plans and permits? And we know not many people can afford to miss a paycheck, so I have empathy for the federal workers and their families who are caught up in this.”

He added that he didn’t vote for another Democratic bill that would have provided temporary funding for Homeland Security — but wouldn’t have secured money for the wall.