U.S. Homeland Security chief claims legal authority for first-ever waiver of core federal requirements, citing 'immediate need' for faster barrier work.
President Donald Trump gained some ground in his border wall fight and now seeks to divert more milcon billions in 2020, but other courts have rejected the approach.
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.
As Congressional Democrats push new blocks to milcon funds for barriers and President Donald Trump seeks expensive changes, awarded contracts are protested.
About $1 billion in federal contracts have recently been awarded to modify sections of barriers on the U.S. border with Mexico, and the Dept. of Defense is seeking to follow up with more contracts in coming months.
President Donald Trump is facing challenges on Capitol Hill and in the courts over his emergency declaration, which would let him transfer funds from other construction accounts to pay for his long-desired wall along the border between the U.S. and Mexico.