White House reportedly considers using disaster funds for Border Wall

The White House has directed the Army Corps of Engineers to look at using emergency funds that Congress approved for disaster relief to build a border wall with Mexico. That’s according to a congressional aide familiar with the matter who was not authorized to speak publicly.

The aide said the $13.9 billion has been allocated but not yet obligated through contracts for a variety of projects in California, Florida, Texas, other states and Puerto Rico, which have experienced hurricanes, wildfires or other natural disasters.

The money funds a variety of projects, mostly flood control to prevent future disasters.

President Donald Trump is considering invoking emergency powers to build the wall. His demand for the wall funding led to the partial government shutdown.

Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham says it’s time for President Donald Trump to invoke emergency powers to build the border wall with Mexico.

The South Carolina senator said Thursday his efforts to broker an immigration compromise that could help end the partial government shutdown are “stuck.”

Graham says House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s refusal to negotiate the wall “virtually ends” Congress’ ability to pass a bill to fund it. Now, he says, “it is time for President Trump to use emergency powers to fund the construction” of a border wall or barrier.

Trump said Thursday he might declare the border situation a national emergency, which could free up funding from military projects.

The border wall with Mexico was his signature campaign issue. He said Mexico would pay for the wall, but Mexico has refused.

Vice President Mike Pence says the president has “made no decision” about declaring a national emergency to build a border wall with Mexico. But he adds, “The president’s going to get this done one way or another.”

Pence called on Democrats to negotiate an end to the shutdown, which is now in its 20th day. He told reporters it’s time for Congress to “do its job.”

Pence also indicated Trump has little interest in a broader immigration deal to end the shutdown. He said Trump is waiting to see how the courts rule on the legality of an Obama-era program that shields some young immigrants from deportation.

Democrats say Trump is holding the country hostage for his wall funding and have called on Republicans to re-open the government.