This post was originally published on this site
WASHINGTON — The Trump administration is planning to shift an additional $7.2 billion out of military coffers for border-wall construction, according to two people familiar with the plans.
The Pentagon funds would come from two primary pots of money: $3.7 billion from a fund for military construction and $3.5 billion from a fund for counternarcotics efforts. The administration extracted $6.7 billion from the two funding sources last year after President Donald Trump declared a state of emergency allowing his administration to make the transfer.
The larger pot of money would permit the government to construct as many as 885 miles of its preferred style of border fencing, though a significant portion of that would likely replace existing border barriers. Much of the construction would be slated for 2021 and beyond, presuming Trump wins a second term in office. Administration officials cautioned that the final totals were subject to change, as discussions are ongoing between the White House and Defense Department.
Earlier on Monday, U.S. Customs and Border Protection said it hoped to construct 576 miles with the previously shifted Pentagon funds and money provided by Congress.
An expanded version of this report appears on WSJ.com.
Also popular on WSJ.com:
An airline required a woman to take a pregnancy test to fly to this U.S. island.
