This Friday, unless Congress passes yet another continuing resolution, the federal government will once again run out of money and “shut down.” One of the major sticking points in whether or not Congress will keep the government open is a request from President Trump that $1 billion be set aside to begin construction of a border wall between the U.S. and Mexico.
In recent weeks, Democrats and pro-amnesty Republicans have made it clear they have no plans to fund a border wall, and while the Trump administration insists the wall will be built, the president is willing to sign a funding bill that excludes money for the wall, if it keeps the federal government open.
With funding for the border wall up in the air, Texas Senator Ted Cruz is going to introduce a piece of legislation that would pay for the wall, and infuriate open-borders Democrats!
Today I introduced the EL CHAPO Act, which reserves billions in forfeited assets to pay for border security https://t.co/Z89EJF2Vg9
— Senator Ted Cruz (@SenTedCruz) April 25, 2017
Fourteen billion dollars will go a long way toward building a wall that will help keep Americans safe: https://t.co/6GOMaxrCBI
— Ted Cruz (@tedcruz) April 25, 2017
The US government is seeking the criminal forfeiture of $14B+ in drug proceeds & illicit profits from El Chapo. https://t.co/5SElazzr9X pic.twitter.com/wkIp10NEik
— Senator Ted Cruz (@SenTedCruz) April 25, 2017
In a press release, Senator Cruz explained the impact seizing the assets of the violent drug lord El Chapo will have:
“Fourteen billion dollars will go a long way toward building a wall that will keep Americans safe and hinder the illegal flow of drugs, weapons, and individuals across our southern border. Ensuring the safety and security of Texans is one of my top priorities. We must also be mindful of the impact on the federal budget. By leveraging any criminally forfeited assets of El Chapo and his ilk, we can offset the wall’s cost and make meaningful progress toward achieving President Trump’s stated border security objectives.
Once El Chapo is found guilty in U.S. courts, the federal government has every right to seize his assets and authorize the U.S. Treasury to fund the border wall. Currently, the U.S. Treasury does not allow for seized assets to go towards projects such as the border wall, but Senator Cruz’s bill would solve this problem.
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Rather than make taxpayers pay for the border wall, this build would make El Chapo, and other drug lords, pay for the wall, which should be supported by the American people.
Do you think Ted Cruz’ proposal makes sense? Will Congress support the bill? Share your thoughts below!