I really wish the Democrats would have held a hearing on this. Brought in experts to discuss what has and has not worked on boarder security. Argued that what Trump is demanding - without hearing and analysis is not only racist, but INEFFECTIVE.
However, this is the next best approach. The democrats can’t be tagged as for “open boarders”, so they need a plan they can say involves “smart spending to strengthen our nations system of boarder security” not a “wasteful political wall”
And I would even say that the price tag for the entire thing ought to be $5.7B, but with tight strings so that none of it can be used for (a) removals of people long in the US/dreamers/parents of American citizens, (b) a wall, or © separating children from their parents.
It certainly sounds like Clyburn and others are sure coming close to capitulation with an agreement to provide $5.7 billion and somehow earmark it for Non-Wall purposes. What would be the method of preventing Trump from using it as he pleases? This is too scary a notion. I am just hopeful Democrats do not do what has become typical for my party; get cold feet when success is about to open the door.
Every bill, including that before the shutdown, has had “extra” money for border security. Chuck and Nancy and Mitch had agreed on $1.6B and that figure was in the earlier bills. The bill just says what it is to be used for, and expressly states what it CAN’T be used for. That is a law, Trump can’t ignore it. This is what was done with the 2017 and 2018 funding bills.
I am just ambivalent about another authorization for billions when the other 1.6 has not been touched. Trump can keep demanding more and Congress authorizing drip-by-drip until he gets to 5.7 or more- Just to see if he can force it out of the Treasury. Democrats would/could show muscle by including in any bill that previously authorized funds must be spent before any other will be allocated; their poison pill.
“If his $5.7 billion is about border security, then we see ourselves fulfilling that request, only doing it with what I like to call using a smart wall,” said No. 3 House Democratic leader Jim Clyburn, D-S.C.
And…just what in-the-h@ll is a Smart-Wall? It’s either a wall or it’s not. This. Is. What. Scares. Me,
Good politics, the Dems must show some constructive moves, will take the wind out of Donald’s sails…
There should be hearings and Democrats should have had this bill and hearings ready from day one. It is not like we hadn’t a clue that a shutdown was coming. Missed opportunity to show a clash of differences, real differences.
So far only about 4% of that money has been spent but tRUmp needs more…for is pocket.
Absolutely
Smart Wall = Branding.
If the Dem solution is a smart wall, the Trump solution, by comparison, is a dumb wall.
And frankly, even Republicans agree that the Trump solution is actually dumb and pointless, which is why they are unwilling to give up any concessions in return for it.
The smart wall branding just underscores this reality.
Here’s a link to a Washington Post article that includes the following shopping list, which looks like a good start.
For less than half of what Trump is asking for the wall, the Coast Guard could buy or build: six HC-130J Super Hercules surveillance planes ($570 million); three unmanned aircraft ($90 million); eight helicopters for air stations in California, Florida, Texas and Puerto Rico ($160 million); a helicopter squadron on the West Coast, similar to the one that already exists in Jacksonville, Fla. ($200 million); a boat station on the Rio Grande ($35 million); forward operating bases in South Texas ($25 million) and on both coasts in Central America ($200 million); better cybersecurity ($200 million); one Legend-Class cutter ($790 million), and six rapid-response cutters, which are the workhorses of its fleet ($450 million).
All of that adds up to $2.74 billion. That leaves plenty left over from the money that Trump wants to waste on a wall. Some of it could go to Immigration and Customs Enforcement — for, say, 1,000 new customs officers ($100 million), or 45 new intelligence analysts ($4.5 million).
Get your Russki English syntax right!
“is for pocket”
OK for his pocket… picky picky picky…
This brings up a question: if we did give him every penny he asked for what would he use it on? Everywhere that a barrier can be built one has already been built. Everything else is either too rugged to build on or private property. So what is he going to use that money to do?
Trump digs in harder when presented with facts. So does his core base.
Simply going around Whiny is great. Make McCONNELL the focus.
Absolutely. Takes the “Democrats don’t want border security” argument completely off the table but doesn’t give Trump his damn wall. Then nobody who is sane and honest can possibly fail to blame Trump for the shutdown. And we really aren’t giving up anything of value.