Smith Statement on GAO Ruling on Biden Abandoning the Border Wall
WASHINGTON, D.C. – House Budget Committee Republican Leader Jason Smith (MO-08) issued the following statement in response to the Government Accountability Office’s (GAO) review of President Biden’s decision to withhold Congressionally-appropriated funding for construction of a wall along the southern border:“When President Biden froze funding for the border wall back in January, he sent a clear message to the American people that securing his political base was more important than securing our borders. Each day that has passed since the start of the GAO’s lengthy investigation, our borders have become less secure and that has further fueled the humanitarian and national security crisis we are witnessing. Today’s unfortunate decision by GAO will sadly only serve to embolden the Biden Administration to take additional actions that undermine the integrity of our borders and national security. This sets a dangerous precedent that the Constitutional authorities of Congress and the will of the American people can be discarded. To be clear, the only thing that has changed since GAO’s opposite ruling on a similar matter in 2019 is the occupant of the White House. For the Administration to say further delay of wall construction is warranted for continued study and review is to turn a blind eye to a devastating crisis at our southern border that is enriching violent cartels while undermining the safety and security of the American people.”
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