Rep. Kinzinger Deployed to Active Duty at US-Mexico Border

Rep. Adam Kinzinger is on active duty at the U.S.-Mexico border after being deployed earlier this week with his Air Force National Guard Unit, according to a statement issued by his communications director on Twitter Wednesday.

"Earlier this week, Congressman Kinzinger was deployed to the U.S.-Mexico border with his Air National Guard unit, and is serving on active duty in his capacity as Lieutenant Colonel," the statement, issued by Communications Director Maura Gillespie, said. "As with his previous border missions while elected, the Congressman will stay within the United States."

Before the 40-year-old Illinois Republican was elected to Congress in 2010, he had served in the Air Force and was commissioned as a second lieutenant in November 2003, serving in Iraq and Afghanistan during Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom, reports CNN. He is a pilot.

Kinzinger's Washington and Illinois offices will stay open while he is deployed, Gillespie's statement said.

There has been some controversy in the past about whether a member of Congress can serve in active duty.

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces ruled in 2006 that it was unconstitutional for Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., to serve both as a senator and as a reserve officer on the Air Force Court of Criminal Appeals.  However, under the Incompatibility Clause, Congress has never acted on the case of a lawmaker serving in the Reserves, CNN noted.

• Rep. Kinzinger: National Guard Would Be 'Good Start' for Border
• Report: Troops at Southern Border Will Face Threats From Protesters, Militia