GOP lawmakers call for provisions barring DOD funds for border wall to be dropped

House conservatives are pushing back against provisions in the annual defense policy bill aimed at blocking Pentagon funds from going toward President Trump’s southern border wall. 

Led by Rep. Andy Biggs (R-Ariz.), the GOP lawmakers sent a Thursday letter to Senate Armed Services Committee Chairman James Inhofe (R-Okla.) and ranking member Jack Reed (D-R.I.) and House Armed Services Committee Chairman Adam Smith (D-Wash.) and ranking member Mac Thornberry (R-Texas), arguing that including the language as the two chambers go to conference on their versions of the defense bill would make it difficult for the Defense Department to deploy troops to assist Customs and Border Protection agents in conducting security operations. 

{mosads}“Sections 1046 and 2801 prohibit the use of Department of Defense counterdrug programs and military construction funds to build a border wall, fence, or other physical barrier along the southern border. This is unacceptable,” they wrote. 

“There is a real emergency at our southern border. Our Border Patrol agents are being overrun, and our ranchers are discouraged with the inaction coming from Washington, D.C. Securing the border is necessary if we are to stop the onslaught of drug and human trafficking, and terrorists on the border.” 

The lawmakers said that “the urgency to build a border wall cannot be overstated.”

“It will help deter the drug cartels and tens of thousands of people who risk their lives attempting to cross our border illegally. The American people understand that failure to control our border poses a national security threat. We hope you understand the severity of this crisis and urge that these provisions are stripped from the final [National Defense Authorization Act] conference report.”

GOP Reps. Greg Steube (Fla.), Randy Weber (Texas), Paul Gosar (Ariz.), David Schweikert (Ariz.), Jeff Duncan (S.C.), Mark Meadows (N.C.), Matt Gaetz (Fla.), Jody Hice (Ga.), Michael Cloud (Texas), Chip Roy (Texas), Ralph Norman (S.C.), Bradley Byrne (Ala.), Barry Loudermilk (Ga.) and Ron Wright (Texas) joined Biggs in signing the letter.