REP. SYLVIA GARCIA JOINS REP. ANTHONY BROWN AND 29 OTHER LAWMAKERS IN REQUESTING ANSWERS ON DIVERTED MILITARY FUNDS FOR BORDER WALL CONSTRUCTION

WASHINGTON, DC — Congresswoman Sylvia Garcia (TX-29) joined Congressman Brown, Vice Chair of House Armed Services Committee, and 29 other lawmakers in sending a letter to Defense Secretary Mark Esper about the administration's plan to divert billions of dollars in military funds to additional wall construction along the U.S.- Mexico border.

Last year, a bipartisan, bicameral coalition of more than 300 Senators and Representatives voted to terminate the Administration's unjustified national emergency declaration. Available data and Department of Defense officials both confirm that there is no significant national security threat at America's southwest border. Though I consistently voted against the measures, Congress has met requests for additional funds over the last three budget cycles by appropriating $4.5 billion for the wall. Nevertheless, in FY19, the Administration diverted $6.1 billion of Department of Defense funding for border wall construction and is reportedly redirecting an additional $7.2 billion in FY20.

"Despite the significant resources appropriated by Congress for border security, the Administration still decided to circumvent Congress," the lawmakers wrote. "The military construction projects being delayed or cancelled will only add to the over $116 billion maintenance backlog of projects, directly impacting our military readiness and the well-being of our military families."

Many of the Department of Defense projects impacted by this decision would have improved the quality of life for military service members and their families. Updating classrooms, clinics and other facilities used by troops and their loved ones is important to both morale and safety. The lawmakers asked the Department of Defense to reconsider its decision which would cause lasting harm to the United States' ability to build and sustain readiness, meet the security challenges and honor the sacrifices of our armed forces and their families.

"President Trump falsely promised the American people a border wall that would be paid by Mexico. He had no plan to keep this promise, so now he is stealing funds from our troops and their families to pay for his ridiculous and unneeded wall. I am a firm believer that we should build bridges, not walls, and I continue to firmly oppose the President's plan," said Congresswoman Garcia.

"Military families are paying the price for President Trump's ineffective vanity project," said Congressman Anthony Brown. "In cancelling hundreds of projects across the country, including child care centers in my district, the Trump Administration is failing to live up to the promises we make to our troops and their families. Mexico isn't paying for this wall, the burden is falling on these brave families."

Signers include: Reps. Gil Cisneros (CA-39), Veronica Escobar (TX-16), Mikie Sherrill (NJ-11), Don Beyer (VA-08), Salud Carbajal (CA-24), Tony Cardenas (CA-29), Andre Carson (IN-07), Joaquin Castro (TX-20), Tulsi Gabbard (HI-02), Ruben Gallego (AZ-07), Sylvia Garcia (TX-29), Deb Haaland (NM-01), Jahana Hayes (CT-05), Chrissy Houlahan (PA-06), Rick Larsen (WA-02), Alan Lowenthal (CA-47), Ben Ray Lujan (NM-03), Elaine Luria (VA-02), James McGovern (MA-02), Seth Moulton (MA-06), Donald Norcross (NJ-01), Eleanor Holmes Norton (DC-AL), Jamie Raskin (MD-08), Jan Schakowsky (IL-09), Darren Soto (FL-09), Jackie Speier (CA-14), Lori Trahan (MA-03), Juan Vargas (CA-51), Filemon Vela (TX-34) and Peter Welch (VT-AL).

Read the full letter HERE.

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Congresswoman Sylvia R. Garcia was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in November 2018, becoming the first Latina ever to represent Texas 29th Congressional district.