Washington: Acting Pentagon chief Patrick Shanahan said Monday he had authorised USD one billion to build part of the wall sought by President Donald Trump along the US-Mexico border.
The Department of Homeland Security has asked the Pentagon to build 92 kilometers of 5.5-meter fencing, build and improve roads, and install lighting to support Trump’s emergency declaration as concerns the border.
Shanahan ‘authorised the commander of the US Army Corps of Engineers to begin planning and executing up to USD 1 billion in support to the Department of Homeland Security and Customs and Border Patrol’, a Pentagon statement read.
The announcement came just before Shanahan was to present to the Congress the Pentagon draft budget and explain the expenses.
It should be stated here that Trump had declared a national emergency last month after lawmakers repeatedly blocked his move to raise funds to build the wall. The move was criticise by both the Democrats and Republican senators as an abuse of presidential powers.
Agencies