Posted on 03/18/2021 9:43:06 AM PDT by BeauBo
Biden's order gave federal agencies like the Department of Homeland Security 60 days to come up with a plan to redirect border wall funds and to determine how much of the wall under construction should resume or be modified or terminated.
That order expires Saturday, March 20.
Forty U.S. Republican senators on Wednesday sent a letter to the U.S. Government Accountability Office Comptroller Gene L. Dodaro asking him for a legal opinion as to whether President Joe Biden's suspension of U.S.-Mexico border wall construction and a freeze on funding for those projects violates the Impoundment Control Act.
The act prevents the president, the senators wrote, from unilaterally withholding funds obligated by Congress.
(Excerpt) Read more at constructiondive.com ...
The areas that were to be funded with diverted Military funds are likely a lost cause, with radicals controlling the Presidential pen.
THe article also notes:
“Earlier this month, Republican (Texas State) Rep. Bryan Slaton introduced legislation (in Texas) that would continue construction of a wall along its border with Mexico and invest in ports of entry infrastructure. If passed by the Texas legislature, the state would initially fund the projects but seek reimbursement from the federal government.”
Republicans pretend that they want to actually do something. The evidence gained from GOP control of Congress 4 years ago would dispute that.
If only Republican senators were this active when they were in power.
I am of the opinion that they first need a court order preventing the use of those funds in any other manner. The Dems have been known to shift the funding and spend it before the case is settled.
RINOs always grow a spine when they know for certain that their cause is already lost.
I don’t think so because I believe the US Supreme said it was a go using those funds.
Why don’t they just sue for the funding, citing the overwhelmingly bi-partisan-passed Secure Fence Act of 2006?
“I believe the US Supreme said it was a go using those (Military) funds.”
If the President wants to, not that the President has to.
It depends on the President declaring an emergency, which President Trump did, but which Biden has already ended.
Finish the wall.
BOTH directives answered.
stfu, joe
They had absolutely unfettered opportunity to fund the wall when Republicans controlled Congress and the Executive branch. They refused to do it. No, they prevented it. Now they simply want to score cheap political points at absolutely no cost as everyone knows there will never be a vote. Once again the assistant Democrats are simply trying to fool the base.
Never again will I fall for their lame drooling.
This is the E.O. I really don't get. Since when can the Admin branch over-ride a duly passed Congressional and signed law that's been on the books since 2006? And then when Congress finally partially funds said law, this Exec. Branch can just cancel those appropriations signed by Trump?
The lawsuits regarding separation of powers should have been filed the next day. Also, what about the contracts that the wall construction companies signed with the Fedgov? Is this not a breach?
If Texas actually starts to build more wall with State funds, watch the lawsuits pop up immediately. Their claim will be that Texas has no say in immigration issues. Arizona got shot down for something similar. However, I read that Texas would be doing such on private property removed from the actual border.
Yes, but I would think since the Exec. Branch controls DOD funds, Bitem will just say no. Still, Bitem should have no authority over already lawful Congressional funding, even with this worthless 60 day investigation by DHS. Maybe there is a temporary with-holding of funds somewhere in the Act or elsewhere.
Where were they during the first 2 years of the Trump admin when it WOULD HAVE MATTERED.
I hate these a holes for their political theater then disappearing when it could really have made a difference.
I wouldn’t hold my breath.
“The act prevents the president, the senators wrote, from unilaterally withholding funds obligated by Congress.”
Isn’t this the same Act that the House used to impeach Trump vis a vis Ukraine?
“Bitem should have no authority over already lawful Congressional funding”
I think there is a strong legal case, to that effect.
Nonetheless, I expect they will find a hundred ways to impede any further construction (e.g. revoke environmental waivers, and begin multi-year “reviews”).
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.