Pentagon puts brakes on 3 border barrier projects because of cost
Source: Politico
The Defense Department is no longer moving forward with three border barrier projects in California and Arizona, according to a court filing Monday.
The move is a reversal of an earlier Pentagon authorization for about 20 miles of fencing, lighting and other border infrastructure that would have used $2.5 billion in funds redirected from a counter-drug fund.
That authorization, announced Aug. 27, was based on what was then determined to be "lower-than-expected contract costs." But the Defense Department revealed in the Monday filing that the department would not be able to cover the costs of the project.
The Defense Department initially authorized the funding after the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers determined that it would likely be able to afford the projects using the counter-drug funds; but the Army Corps said it would not know the full financial situation until later in the fiscal year.
Read more: https://www.politico.com/story/2019/09/16/defense-department-border-wall-projects-1499466
Trump and a prototype of his much-touted border wall in San Diego last year.
The president declared a national emergency to divert the money from the armed forces - but the Pentagon has begun to resist the increasingly brazen diversions of funds.
Lonestarblue
(9,958 posts)Anything involved with Trump costs more because of corruption. Trump has been pushing s specific contractor because of campaign donations. Their costs are probably much higher than anyone elses.
samnsara
(17,604 posts)durablend
(7,455 posts)in2herbs
(2,944 posts)mr_lebowski
(33,643 posts)Bayard
(21,991 posts)He wants to build the wall to keep out so-called drug traffickers, but he's diverting money from counter drug funds to build it?
keithbvadu2
(36,640 posts)Response to sandensea (Original post)
Chin music This message was self-deleted by its author.
keithbvadu2
(36,640 posts)How to Build Trumps Wall - Privatize It
Republicans have often found a way to tax people surreptitiously by privatizing many public works projects to corporations rather than have govt pay for it. A fee/toll is a tax under another name.
The corporations/investors are granted a multi-year license with a guaranteed profit.
This could also be done with Trumps Wall with Mexico.
Corporations/investors front the money to build it and they will be paid by Mexico.
It gives republicans a chance to save the govt money by investing in it and show their confidence in Trumps word that Mexico will pay for it .
No govt backed bonds.
No cost to the govt,,, no need for taxes,,, profit for the patriotic investors who believe in Trump.
Win win all around.
Even Trump can show his patriotism and shrewd business savvy by investing in it.
rpannier
(24,326 posts)sandensea
(21,595 posts)Good one!