Congressional Democrats are short on options to prevent President Donald Trump from diverting billions in military funds towards building a wall on the U.S.-Mexico border, The Hill reports.
The Pentagon announced on Wednesday that it will pull funding away from over 100 Defense Department projects, including money that went towards schools and daycare centers for military families, to provide $3.6 billion for Trump’s proposed border wall. About half of that money will come from domestic projects, and the other half from projects overseas.
Democrats have vowed to fight the administration’s plan, but the courts have mostly ruled in favor of the government on matters of emergency powers and the use of Pentagon funds. The party is also concerned that taking a strong legislative stance could lead to another shutdown.
“The goal of keeping the government open would outweigh a provision the White House would never agree to,” said an unnamed Democratic aide.
Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz, D-Fla., the chair of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Military Construction, Veterans Affairs and Related Agencies, said Tuesday that she will not support backfilling these funds.
“I reminded his Administration today that I will not support this theft from our military and that down the road, the House of Representatives will not backfill any projects he steals from today,” she said.
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