If there is a govt shutdown, how much of this gets impacted. Managed by Army Corps of Engineers with contractors executing the work? Once bids are accepted can it be postponed by shutdown.
Always worry about lawsuits, legal impediments can slowdown also.
“If there is a govt shutdown, how much of this gets impacted.”
No impact. This is funded with prior year appropriations (FY18 and FY19) - money that is already on account. Construction money remains good for five years.
These contracts have been formally awarded, so it is now on the contractors to perform. The Contracting Officer and the minimal staff of finance people required to validate and disburse progress payments to the contractors are designated as “essential” and continue to function through Government shutdowns.
“Always worry about lawsuits, legal impediments”
The main obstacle in the Rio Grande Valley, is settling with about 400 private landowners, which has been working for quite some time. Ultimately, the Government can condemn a property under eminent domain, and start building the next day. The legal case to determine the price might drag on for ten years, but the wall would be built. The Government has been very careful - relatively patient, gentle and generous - with the landowners this time around, as compared to the Bush-era Secure Fence Act construction (2007-9). Lesson learned.
There are some other lawsuit tracks that the Left is pursuing, but they are particularly weak - a made up Indian Tribe, use of environmental waivers (which has been upheld several times already). These contracts don’t use any of the Military Construction money, that will probably have to go to the Supreme Court in a few months for a quick review.