Both the Defense Department and the Department of Homeland Security are in line for significant construction funding if a proposal being sent to Congress by President Trump gains traction.
The White House has announced that it is asking Congress for $8.6 billion for the two departments in its fiscal 2020 budget, all of which will go for the construction of sections of a U.S./Mexico border wall.
Of that amount, the vast majority, $5 billion, will go to the Homeland Security Department, while the remaining $3.6 billion is slated for the Department of Defense’s military construction budget.
This latest administration request is part of an overall $4 trillion federal budget package that, while upping funding for the controversial wall project, will slash money for environmental protection, healthcare programs, welfare assistance, and other federal initiatives.
This latest administration wall funding proposal comes on the heels of a request late last year for just over $5.7 billion to build sections of the border wall.
A deadlock over that proposal led to a month-long government shutdown, although Congress eventually approved spending nearly $1.4 billion to fund the construction of around 55 miles of barrier at the Texas/Mexico border.
If the $8.6 billion ultimately wins Congressional approval, it would be used for just over 700 miles of barrier work at the border. According to sources, the vast majority of that work will see new construction, with some barrier segments being refurbished.
By Garry Boulard
