The Dept. of Defense’s plan to put off $3.6 billion in construction projects and shift the agency’s already appropriated funds to build sections of the southwest border wall has sparked sharp criticism from Democrats in Congress. The plan stems from President Donald Trump’s Feb. 15 declaration of an emergency on the border. Critics are expected to try to block it as Congress works on fiscal 2020 spending (see p. 4).
DOD officials, briefing reporters Sept. 3, said the transfers would affect 127 projects, with the $3.6 billion divided evenly between overseas projects and those in the U.S. and its territories.