The negotiated spending deal Congress is expected to pass this week does not restore $3.6 billion in funding the Trump administration moved from military construction projects to a border wall construction account.
Democrats said almost all of that money has not been spent and can still fund the intended construction projects.
“If the president chooses to once again steal funding from our troops and their families to pay for his wall, that is a decision that he and Congressional Republicans will have to justify to the women and men who serve and protect our country,” Senate Appropriations Ranking Member Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) said in a statement.
A federal court judge in Texas has said it’s unlawful to use money appropriated for installation construction projects for a wall. The White House has said it will appeal that ruling.
Air National Guard photo of Sen. Patrick Leahy by Tech. Sgt. Ryan Campbell
Post-Leadership, McConnell Plans to Push for More Defense Funding
When Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell steps down from his Senate leadership role after the November elections, he’ll have at least two more years in the Senate. Now he’s signaled one of his priorities as a rank-and-file Senator is to increase defense funding,...
