President Donald Trump is moving forward with plans to use $3.6 billion of military construction projects funding to build or fortify portions of a wall along the U.S.-Mexico border.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The funds would be divided equally between domestic and international military projects, according to Defense Secretary Mark Esper. Democrats have vehemently opposed the move, with House Speaker Nanci Pelosi vowing to fight the president in court. Democrats have also said they would not re-appropriate money for the military projects. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
According to the Wall Street Journal, which quoted the Pentagon, Mr. Esper authorized diverting funds for 11 wall projects, which would delay as many as 127 military projects.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
On Wednesday, Delegate to Congress Stacey Plaskett voiced her displeasure with the president’s latest action on border wall security.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“News that the administration will be diverting $3.6 billion from the Pentagon\u2019s coffers to shore up the funding for his border wall is troubling,” she said in a statement. “Taking these funds, which have been duly allocated by Congress, will ultimately affect the completion of numerous crucial projects across America, including the Virgin Islands. We are aware of approximately 3 maintenance projects in the Virgin Islands National Guard that will be impacted by the President\u2019s decision.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Ms. Plaskett said her office has informed V.I. Adjutant General Kodjo Knox-Limbacker of the projects in the Virgin Islands that will be impacted.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Pentagon officials said the military-construction projects had been deferred, not canceled, but Mr. Esper\u2019s decision could amount to defunding the projects, according to WSJ.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe administration\u2019s irresponsible decision to transfer funds from appropriated U.S. military construction makes America less safe and dishonors the Constitution,\u201d Ms. Pelosi said in a statement Tuesday evening.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIt is disheartening to the members of the armed forces to have a commander in chief who is willing to raid already allocated military funding for a wall he promised Mexico would pay to build,” said Ms. Plaskett. “The president is trying to usurp Congress\u2019s exclusive power of the purse and loot vital funds from our military. Depleting the Defense Department of much needed funds is an affront to our service members and when Congress returns next week from recess we will strongly oppose any funds for new wall construction.\u201d <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
President Donald Trump is moving forward with plans to use $3.6 billion of military construction projects funding to build or fortify portions of a wall along the U.S.-Mexico border. The funds would be divided equally between domestic and international military projects, according to Defense Secretary Mark Esper. Democrats have vehemently opposed the move, with House […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":78222,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[191,147],"tags":[233],"yoast_head":"\n