The Pentagon notified Congress Monday night time that it has approved the switch of $1 billion to start new wall development alongside the US-Mexico border, drawing quick objections from Democratic lawmakers.
A Pentagon funds reprogramming notification despatched to Capitol Hill on Monday and obtained by CNN signifies that up to $1 billion will go towards constructing 57 miles of fencing, bettering roads and different measures on the southern border.
The Department of Defense approved the Army Corp of Engineers to start planning and development for the undertaking Monday night time. The division will direct the funds towards 18-foot-high fencing alongside the Yuma and El Paso sections of the border, in accordance to a letter performing Secretary of Defense Patrick Shanahan despatched to Secretary of Homeland Security Kirstjen Nielsen.
In February, President Donald Trump declared a nationwide emergency so as to funnel billions of {dollars} to wall development. As half of his announcement, he directed the use of counterdrug monies to partially fund new wall development. Under the nationwide emergency, different funds can be devoted to constructing the wall and associated infrastructure, together with navy development funds.
Monday’s announcement was simply the primary $1 billion the administration is making accessible for wall funding. The administration mentioned beforehand it plans to shift a further $1.5 billion in some unspecified time in the future sooner or later.
These preliminary counterdrug funds will finally circulation from the Department of Homeland Security to the Army Corps of Engineers to start development.