Rep. Chip Roy on Trump Admin Moving Funds for Border Security

WASHINGTON—Rep. Chip Roy released the following statement Wednesday regarding the Trump administration's movement of funds to construct fencing and infrastructure along the southern border:

I am pleased to see today that the 21st Congressional District, and its numerous important military installations including Fort Sam Houston and the Army Futures Command, is not directly impacted by the effort of the administration to secure border funding from future DOD projects.

It is unfortunate that the president has been forced to take this action action to secure our southern border in the face of Democrat refusal to do their job. It is a shame that Congress has repeatedly failed to build fencing, construct infrastructure, and shore up Border Patrol and ICE funding to protect American sovereignty and create a workable border environment. I'm thankful the president is taking leadership on this issue.

As the representative of 21st Congressional District, I always work to make sure our men and women in uniform are properly resourced. It is my understanding that $18.5 million of previously allocated funds for future spending to improve dining facilities at Camp Bullis will be diverted to be used as part of the $3.6 billion the president is using for border security. My staff and I have reached out to the administration, JBSA, Congressman Hurd, and the leadership at Camp Bullis to better understand the impact of this decision. We understand that the project can move forward without much delay if Congress appropriates the president's budget request. In any event, we will be working to make sure that future funds will be available as soon as possible.

While I continue to work with the administration to make certain our nation secures its border, I will also work to ensure there are limits on executive authority beyond a short period of time to use previously appropriated funds for emergency declarations. This is why I introduced the Article OneAct, a companion to Senator Mike Lee's bill in the Senate, to reassert congressional prerogatives for appropriations used through emergency powers of the executive beyond one year.