Posted on 03/25/2019 6:43:12 PM PDT by Revel
The Pentagon has notified Congress that it has authorized the transfer of $1 billion to begin new wall construction along the US-Mexico border
I assume this is the response of the Congressional committee to this same appropriation plan:
We need to:
1) Build the wall.
2) Deny any government services (driver licenses, welfare, government school, etc.) to illegal aliens.
3) Aggressively pursue and deport illegal aliens, both border jumpers and visa overstayers.
4) Prosecute those who employ illegal aliens.
All the designs are from Border Patrol, DHS and the Army Corps of Engineers.
They are the professionals.
Thanks Tejano...
“Once they start taking the money from specific Military Construction projects (which required the Emergency Declaration)...”
I wonder if some of those Military Construction funds could be used to build Military bases on the southern border? We really need our military on the border, and what better way then to build bases there?
“I wonder if some of those Military Construction funds could be used to build Military bases on the southern border?”
I believe that the Military Construction (MILCON) money under the Emergency Declaration could be spent to build bases, but next year they would likely not receive any money to operate, maintain or staff such bases from Congress. I do not believe that the Counter-Drug money from DoD could be used for bases (but border roads, lights and fences are specifically authorized for Counter-Drug spending).
It might be possible to build bases for Border Patrol out of MILCON, and have them accept ownership, and commit to the long term operation and maintenance. That is what they have agreed to for the 57 miles of barrier, roads, lights and alarms that DoD just funded.
Generally, anything enduring (multi-year) needs to be built into the baseline budget, so that all the associated costs are systematically projected and included. It is a big drill to detail all the expenses, across all the categories of the budget (personnel, procurement, operations, maintenance, construction).
Handing the barrier immediately to DHS makes it possible for DoD to act quickly in funding these large projects (same year) - otherwise, the supporting analysis and documentation itself would take more than a year.
Appreciate your knowledgeable reply. I was hoping bases along the southern border might be another great project for President Trump. I’m not sure any future President would ever accomplish it or even consider it.
Perhaps if we end up closing some of our military bases in Germany or other parts of Europe, we can re-establish the bases here at home along the border. I think it would be wise and possibly just a “relocation” of those current European funds could make it happen. I do hope President Trump and his staff will somehow get this accomplished.
Having the wall built plus military bases along the border would be a great thing for this country.
An alternative to military bases along the border, would be more Border Patrol.
That is included in the President’s overall plan to achieve full operational control of the border, which was delivered to Congress in March of 2018. It called for $25 billion over five years, to build 1,100 miles of barrier, hire thousands of additional Border Patrol ICE and judge teams, and field several technology programs.
We are definitely behind schedule on the hiring, but there have been indications of preparations to forward deploy additional Border Patrol in the future, likely to include covering more remote locations more actively. They have a contract for a bunch of rapidly deployable buildings - basically shipping container size kits that fold out and lock into place for same day set up.
Small bases could get set up very quickly with these, and endure for many years, or move the next day. Trailer-mounted generators and fuel and water tankers could convoy in with the shelters, and the advance party could sleep indoors with heat or air conditioning the first night. Shifts could rotate to such outposts every few days or once a week, sleeping in shifts, while monitoring surveillance technology (cameras, alarms/sensors, aerial drones) in their sector, conducting patrols, and being available for rapid response.
A small base like that every 10 miles or so in rural areas, would mean that the cops are never more than a few minutes away.
Small bases of BP would be great. I hope it gets done. Never realized before just what a slow crawl our government performs at. Surely a good thing with a terrible leader as Obama. But really frustrating when we have such a great leader as President Trump.
Still seems to me the added presence of Military bases along the border would be a good thing. I would rather they be there than in Iraq or even Germany (a questionable ally now). I really do appreciate your fine knowledge of this subject. Many thanks. I will try to get some sleep now. And by the way, I did send my reply last night to "you know who." Maybe he will respond again.
“Wonder why we are behind schedule in hiring for the Border Patrol?”
A company (a big name consulting company) was hired to run the recruitment program, and failed miserably. Like ridiculously bad.
We were going gangbusters hiring judges under Sessions, but the new appropriations bill last month pulled the rug out from under that effort.
Sure hate to hear that news about both situations. I hope the recruiting company has been fired and progress with another company on hiring is finally being made. What a huge mess up. And sure hate to hear of any slowdown on judges.
You would think with such important concerns as judges and Border Patrol personnel are to our nation, the utmost care would have been taken to assure success, continuous success, for President Trump’s entire term. I don’t understand if it’s the fault of administration staff members or what. Or maybe the federal government has just gotten too big to operate smoothly.
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