Illinois Congresswoman Cheri Bustos is a member of the House Appropriations Subcommittees on Defense, Military Construction, and Veterans Affairs. On Friday, February 14, 2020,she released the following statement about the Administration’s recent decision to steal Department of Defense funds, which are crucial to military readiness, for border wall construction. President Donald Trump’s decision has drawn bipartisan criticism.
“This power grab puts our military readiness and National security at risk. On the campaign trail, the President repeatedly promised the American people that Mexico would pay for his costly border wall. But, once again, he has broken that promise.
“This action is unconstitutional–full stop. Only Congress has the power of the purse. I will stand up to this irresponsible decision and do everything in my power to protect funds for projects, equipment, and resources at the Peoria Air National Guard Base and Rock Island Arsenal.”