Lowey, Visclosky and Wasserman Schultz Statement on Trump's Latest Wall Theft

Statement

House Appropriations Committee Chairwoman Nita M. Lowey (D-NY), Defense Appropriations Subcommittee Chairman Pete Visclosky (D-IN), and Military Construction-VA Subcommittee Chairwoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-FL) released the following statement on reports that the Trump administration is planning to steal $7.2 billion in important counternarcotics and military construction funding to pay for his wasteful border wall:

"In the most recent appropriations legislation, an overwhelming bipartisan majority in Congress rejected the Trump Administration's request to divert military construction funding for the wall. We did this because we understand that the wall is a wasteful political stunt, not a meaningful way to secure our nation.

"Having failed to get his way in Congress, it appears President Trump is now once again forcing servicemembers and their families to pay for his wall by cancelling even more vital military construction projects. He is choosing politics over their readiness and quality of life. Moreover, at a time when the opioid epidemic continues to rage across the country, President Trump is stealing funding that was intended for meaningful counterdrug priorities to pay for his wall.

"Make no mistake: This decision will make Americans less safe, burden more military families, and do further violence to the Constitutional separation of powers that are inherent to our democracy."

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