House Appropriations Committee Votes to Fund Donald Trump’s Border Wall

According to Paul Ryan, Speaker of the US House of Representatives, the House Appropriations Committee just green-lit President Donald Trump’s $1.6 billion request for funding to begin construction of a wall along the southern border with Mexico.

Although this will not be enough to fund the wall to completion, it is a big step for an otherwise lethargic Republican Congress.

Ryan issued a statement, saying:

The purpose of our government is first and foremost to ensure the security of our nation. This week, the House will take up the appropriations package for national security priorities. It includes the appropriations bills for defense, military construction and veterans, energy and water, and the legislative branch.

Breaking News → the House just passed a bill funding package for our national security priorities. https://t.co/RN13KBobsS pic.twitter.com/QRtDdvjApH — Paul Ryan (@SpeakerRyan) July 27, 2017

Paul Ryan issued a press release to clear up some information about what this vote means, quoting:

1. It fully funds President Trump’s FY2018 $1.6 billion request for a wall along our southern border.

2. It gives our service members a much-deserved pay raise—the largest military pay raise in eight years.

3. It takes the next step in our efforts to rebuild our military with a substantial increase for the Department of Defense.

4. It pays for updated equipment and weapons so that our men and women serving abroad are fully prepared for the ever-evolving threats of modern warfare and defense.

5. It funds military infrastructure so that our service members can be safe and prepared.

6. It takes care of our vets by providing the highest level of funding—ever—for the Department of Veterans Affairs.

7. It deters and defends against attacks by increasing funds for the Department of Energy’s nuclear weapons program.

8. It authorizes the EPA to withdraw from the Obama administration’s disastrous Waters of the U.S. (WOTUS) rule.

9. It increases funding for our Capitol Police, who bravely protect members of Congress, their staff, and visitors to our nation’s Capitol. This will increase security here at the Capitol and at home in our districts.

Although more could be done, this is a good step in the right direction.