Tex. Democrats urge review of use of covid aid to fund border crackdown

[Eugene]

Source: Washington Post

A group of Texas Democrats urged the Biden administration on Monday to probe whether their state had misused federal funds meant to respond to the coronavirus, after Gov. Greg Abbott (R) relied on pandemic relief to help pay for his crackdown on the U.S.-Mexico border.

The lawmakers’ request stemmed from a string of recent budgetary maneuvers that had enabled Texas to defray the cost of its campaign, known as Operation Lone Star. Essentially, the state shifted about $1 billion in public health and safety funds to its border operations, including the deployment of Texas National Guard troops, while backfilling those agencies with federal pandemic aid, according to a Washington Post analysis of spending records.

The dynamic has troubled Democrats in Washington, including Reps. Joaquin Castro and Veronica Escobar, who stressed that the money is supposed to help Texas respond to the public health crisis. In a letter Monday, they asked Treasury Secretary Janet L. Yellen to conduct a “review” of the matter to determine if the governor “is diverting pandemic relief funds to provide the additional support for Operation Lone Star.”

“Texas has struggled immensely during the pandemic, and these funds are critical to help our state recover from the devastation of the past two years,” the Democratic lawmakers wrote. “Governor Abbott must not be allowed to use federal coronavirus relief funds to further his political theater at the expense of Texas families.”

-snip-

By Tony Romm
Today at 8:02 p.m. EDT


Read more: https://www.washingtonpost.com/us-policy/2022/05/10/texas-investigation-stimulus-immigration/

[BumRushDaShow]

1. They do need to really look at how the legislation (and appropriation language) was written

because politicos can't unilaterally "re-program" funds designated by Congress for specific purposes. That is right there in the U.S. Constitution.

Article I

(snip)

Section 9.

(snip)

No money shall be drawn from the treasury, but in consequence of appropriations made by law; and a regular statement and account of receipts and expenditures of all public money shall be published from time to time.

https://www.law.cornell.edu/constitution/articlei

[hamsterjill]

2. So, Abbott gave about $1 billion to his cronies

Under the guise of border operations, etc.

Let’s see if the Administration listens. That will be telling.

[PatSeg]

3. Could the corruption be anymore blatant?

$1 billion is an awful lot of money to be spending in broad daylight. Republicans don't even pretend anymore.

[hamsterjill]

4. They don't. You're right.

It’s like they are daring the Dems to do something and unfortunately, I don’t see the Dems doing much.

Joaquin Castro is my rep and he’s aggressive. I hope he stays on this. In my opinion, the wrong twin got all of the accolades in the beginning. Julian is certainly smart, but Joaquin is smart and willing to fight

[PatSeg]

5. Republicans have always

been more on the corrupt side, but once Trump came on the scene, they learned you could do or say anything and not suffer any consequences. It will be a pretty rude awakening when they eventually find there is a limit and a price to pay for their reckless arrogance.

[hamsterjill]

6. From your post

To God’s ears…

Just once I’d like to see them get what’s coming to them!!!

[PatSeg]

8. Yes, that is what keeps me going

So many people can't possibly get away with so much forever. Eventually, they must be a reckoning.

[TeamProg]

7. No surprise here. ALL REPUBLICANS are corrupt. It's a prerequisite for getting campaign funding. nt