President Trump is sticking to his guns, in a recent sit-down with Mexican counterpart Enrique Nieto, he once again reiterated the administration’s desire to see the border wall between the two nations built. Going so far as to state Mexico would “absolutely” be paying for the ultimate construction costs incurred.
Regardless of who foots the final bill, it’s clear that Trump is keen to see the project underway sooner rather than later, but until now Congress hasn’t played ball.
Back in May when an estimated $1 Trillion bill was voted on and approved by the House and Senate, no provisions were pushed through for the security wall. Many at the time felt betrayed by a GOP dominated congress that had talked a big game, but when the time had come hadn’t been willing to risk political capital in the face of obstructionist Democrats.
This time around Democrats may have a tougher fight on their hands, already word coming from House representatives is that they won’t be so quick to make concessions on the hot button issue.
Speaking this past Monday, House Freedom Caucus chairman Rep. Mark Meadows (R-NC) said,
“There is nothing more critical that has to be funded than funding the border wall for two reasons… One is it is a commitment that the president made to the American people and one that he intends on keeping, but the second part of that is for our national security we must secure our borders. And the American people will accept no less.”
This comes on the heels of conversations the Chairman has held with President Trump which indeed confirm,
“Nothing less than a full and total commitment on his part to only sign into law a funding bill that actually allows for us to start construction of a border wall on our southern border”
So, the President is willing to veto any bill that doesn’t account for the wall, and it seems like he’s finally found a few party members that are willing to stand with him.
To this end a $1.6 Billion dollar bill has just been debuted in the House, which would allow a down payment on all of the provisions promised during Trump’s campaign. With the current budget only providing government funding until September a decision on Homeland Security spending has to be made soon.
While the bill likely already has enough support in the House to guarantee passage even with a few deferrals. The real faceoff will likely come in the Senate where at least eight Democrats needed to sign off on the funding in order to push it forward into law, unfortunately prospects don’t look great so far,
With Senate Democratic Leaders penning this note to the GOP,
“We are once again concerned with the President’s Fiscal Year 2018 request for a very expensive, ineffective new wall along the southern border with Mexico and new funding for the Department of Homeland Security to hire a ‘deportation force’ and increase detention beds”
Senate hopefuls such as Rep. Mo Collins, running for the vacant Alabama seat left by Attorney General Jeff Sessions are keeping a watchful eye on the issue. In a fiery new campaign ad the he promises,
“I’ll fight every spending bill that doesn’t fund that wall. And if I have to filibuster on the Senate floor, I’ll even read the King James Bible until the wall is funded… We’re going to build that wall, or you’ll know the name of every Republican who surrenders to the Democrats to break my filibuster. I give you my word, and I don’t give my word lightly”
For his part the President isn’t opposed in principle to a shutdown, tweeting earlier this year he wrote
either elect more Republican Senators in 2018 or change the rules now to 51%. Our country needs a good "shutdown" in September to fix mess!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 2, 2017
So we’ve got the President and his base throwing their weight behind the people want. So what’s the hold up? If the Democrats want to continue holding up the rightful passage of Govt. then they deserve all the blame for the damage it causes to the American people. With billions in funds going to coastal sanctuary cities every year, the math is simple. Take money away from housing these immigrants and cementing their wrongful residence in this country, and start using it to keep them out.