Some $97 million for Nevada military projects could go for border wall

Military construction projects in Nevada worth nearly $97 million are among those that could be affected by President Donald Trump’s plan to pull money from the Defense Department to help build a southern border wall, U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s office said.

Pelosi’s office identified the Nevada projects as a combat rescue helicopter simulator at Nellis Air Force Base, a National Guard Readiness Center in North Las Vegas and drone control facilities at Creech Air Force Base in Indian Springs.

Trump declared a national emergency to unlock billions of dollars in Defense Department money, including some $3.6 billion earmarked for military construction projects, for his border wall.

No details have been released about what projects may be targeted. The total amount of money appropriated for military construction is almost $15.7 billion.

Spokespeople for Nellis, Creech and the Defense Department did not respond to requests for comment.

The national emergency declaration prompted a lawsuit by 16 states, including Nevada.

In a statement, Nevada Attorney General Aaron Ford said, “President Trump cannot sidestep our Constitution for a political ploy. The Trump administration’s proposed diversion of funds would waste billions of dollars that is dedicated to supporting our military and law enforcement agencies.”