Dems advance homeland security bill with no money for Trump’s wall

Democrats advanced a homeland security spending bill on Wednesday that included no money for President Trump’s border wall, an action one Republican suggested could lead to another government shutdown.

“No funding is provided for the border wall or additional border barriers, and a provision is included prohibiting the use of any federal funds other than funds explicitly appropriated by Congress for that purpose in prior years,” said Rep. Lucille Roybal-Allard (D-Calif.), who chairs the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Homeland Security.

{mosads}Rep. Chuck Fleischmann (R-Tenn.), the ranking member of the Appropriations Subcommittee on Homeland Security, said the bill had no chance of becoming law without money for the wall. 

“I do not believe it is prudent not to provide any funds in this bill when we know that this bill cannot get enacted, and maybe no bill can get enacted, unless we have funds for border security,” he said.  

The government shut down for 35 days earlier this year due to a standoff over Trump’s wall, with Democrats refusing to include money for Trump’s signature campaign issue.

Polls suggested that Trump and Republicans were badly damaged by the shutdown fight, and both sides have been seeking a spending deal that could prevent another crisis ahead of next year’s elections.

The Appropriations subcommittee advanced the $63.8 billion homeland security bill to the full committee by voice vote. It will consider the measure next week.

Democrats said the bill, which spends $2.2 billion more than current levels, but $1.9 billion less than Trump requested, shifts money toward more important security priorities. 

“Our bill supports the broad array of homeland security missions, from protecting air travel and our territorial waters, to helping state and local governments prepare for terrorism threats and disasters, to securing our cybersecurity systems and physical infrastructure,” Roybal-Allard said. 

“It also takes a balanced approach to border security and immigration enforcement, including new efforts to protect the dignity and safety of every person in U.S. government custody,” she added.