More than 100 miles of ‘new’ border wall expected by year-end
by Paul Bedard
| December 05, 2019 09:00 AM
The Trump administration expects to have more than 100 miles of “new” border wall built by Dec. 31, according to a top official.
“It keeps pressing ahead,” said Ken Cuccinelli, the acting deputy secretary of Homeland Security.
In an interview, Cuccinelli said about 90 miles of new and refurbished wall had been built under the administration’s effort.
“I would expect us to be in triple digits before we get into the new year,” added the former acting director of the U.S. Customs and Immigration Services.
The administration has struggled to get funding for President Trump’s top 2016 campaign promise and has tapped Pentagon money, which is starting to pour into the effort.
Once it arrives, Cuccinelli said that “we expect to be building at a much faster pace.”
Cuccinelli said that the actual construction hasn’t caused delays. “The hardest part of building isn’t building. It’s getting to the point where you break ground and can build,” he said.
Still, he said, as replacement of shabby fencing and construction of new wall picks up pace, it should reach a total of 400. “I’m still optimistic to get over another 400 milles. It’s a national example of good fences make good neighbors.”
https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/w...by-end-of-year
