Trump's funding request for U.S. border wall hits snag among some Republicans

Trump's funding request for U.S. border wall hits snag among some Republicans

Tue Mar 28, 2017 | 6:52pm EDT

President Donald Trump's call for $1.5 billion this year to help build a wall along the border with Mexico could be in jeopardy as fellow Republicans in Congress weigh delaying a decision on the request.

Republican Senator Roy Blunt, a member of his party's leadership, told reporters on Tuesday that money for the wall likely would not be coupled with a spending bill that must pass by April 28 to avoid shutting down federal agencies whose funding expires then.

Blunt said the must-do funding "comes together better" without Trump's additional request for the border wall and military programs and could be considered "at a later time."

Democrats are threatening to block the bill funding federal agencies from April 29 to Sept. 30, the end of the current fiscal year, if money for the border wall is included.

They object to one of Trump's premier 2016 campaign promises, saying it is poorly planned and that there are other border security measures already constructed or under consideration.

When he ran for president, Trump pledged Mexico would pay to build the wall, designed to keep illegal immigrants and drugs from entering the United States. The Mexican government has said it will not do so.

The initiative has also faced resistance among Republicans, including lawmakers representing some border towns. The federal government would have to purchase land in many locations in order to construct the edifice, which could make construction costs soar.

Reuters reported the wall could end up costing as much as $21.6 billion, far more than the $12 billion Trump cited.

Representative Mario Diaz-Balart also expressed skepticism about Congress' ability to approve funds for the wall, given the super-majority vote needed in the Senate for most major legislation.

Asked about the wall, Diaz-Balart, a senior member of the House of Representatives' Appropriations Committee and a leading voice on immigration policy, said: "I'm always willing to look at other things we can do to try to get that 60-vote threshold" on border and interior security.

Lawmakers said progress was being made on legislation to keep the government running beyond April 28.

House Speaker Paul Ryan removed another potential land mine on Tuesday when he said a Republican drive to end federal funding for women's healthcare provider Planned Parenthood would be best accomplished on legislation other than the upcoming funding bill.

Democrats have vowed to stop the must-do money bill if it ended Planned Parenthood's federal funds.

http://www.reuters.com/article/us-us...-idUSKBN16Z31R

So there aren't 8 Democrats in the US Senate who want to control our borders? Stop illegal immigration? And support the wall to help do that? Oh that is so disappointing. Hope the Democrats wake up! We need border security. We must end illegal immigration in the US once and for all. Support our citizens, support the Wall!

I have been thinking a lot about this. Truly, I wake in the night worrying about what is going to happen to our country and will anything actually be done.

This is my conclusion - NO. Nothing will be done.

For one thing, we are focusing on the wrong thing.

So--- we have to admit, our real enemy, our country's enemy in this is not really the illegals - it's our government. Tough to swallow, but it's the truth.

Picture this - Texas terms - you can substitute you own -

You have planted a field of alfalfa/corn/etc. You worked, planted, fertilized, cultivated it paid for the well to irrigate it, and it's beautiful. Your local sheriff, and county government, who are in the pocket of some rich rancher, suddenly opens your gates and let the rancher's herd of cattle into your crop. The sheriff threatens you if you do anything to get them out or 'horrors' if you harm those cattle. He even forces you to furnish water for the cattle, and be sure to maintain the fences so they don't roam, even pay for the vet should they need one.

And as strange as it seems, you then buy your beef from that rancher, and continue to vote for the sheriff and local government. Now why would anyone do that? I can't answer it, but we do.

Now, should you be mad at the cattle - or at the Sheriff - or at the rich rancher? Ourselves?

Well, the rancher, certainly as he is a scumbag thief - and ourselves because we are loathe to actually stop buying the products - but ultimately, it's the Sheriff and your local government who did you in and who forces you to care for those cattle.

Our politicians are the ones who should be doing what is best for the country and it's people. They should be doing what the people sent them to do. They are the ones who owe us loyalty.

When was the last/first time we saw politicians going around the country - or even to their own districts or states and speaking out against this?

Until we see them pounding the podium with the same fervor, bombast, and audacity we saw in Pres. Trump, we have to admit to ourselves - they are our enemy. The illegals are just a symptom.


But maybe we get the kind of government we deserve. Maybe - but our children and grandchildren do not deserve them.