Norcross, Kim, Sherrill React to Updated Move by Trump Admin to Fund Border Wall at Military’s Expense

NEW JERSEY – Today, New Jersey’s three U.S. House Representatives who serve on the Armed Services Committee – Donald Norcross, Andy Kim and Mikie Sherrill – condemned the Trump Administration’s most recent effort to pay for the construction of a wall on the southwest border by using funds originally authorized and appropriated for critical military construction projects.

“President Trump failed to convince Mexico, a Republican-controlled Congress and the American people to pay for his ineffective wall. Now he’s taking money away from our military through an unconstitutional power grab in order to pay for his wall. It’s appalling and we can’t stand for it,” said Congressman Norcross. “While I’m relieved New Jersey projects remain on track for now, Trump has already raided disaster preparedness funds for bases during hurricane season and, now, critical military construction projects across the country and overseas will no longer be able to proceed as Congress intended. The proposed changes will directly harm our military readiness and undermine our country’s ability to fulfill overseas missions and thwart potential threats.”

Norcross added: “Our Republican colleagues recently voted against a defense authorization compromise because it didn’t provide enough funding for our military readiness. Yet, when the president robs the military of $3.6 billion in funding for the defense of our nation, they say nothing. Their silence is deafening and hypocritical.”

“This decision by the administration to strip billions away from our military is reckless and irresponsible,” said Congressman Andy Kim. “On the Armed Services Committee, I’ve heard generals and admirals make urgent requests for funds to rebuild bases critical to our national security that were devastated by natural disasters. Now, the administration’s actions are hurting our military readiness. I’ll keep pressing to protect Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst as well as our security posture across the globe.”

“The administration continues to put partisan politics above our national security. Using a procedural gimmick to redirect funds already authorized and appropriated by Congress for military construction projects is a disservice to our servicemembers and their families. As a Navy veteran and a member of the House Armed Services Committee, I know investing in our military readiness is a critical priority, and this decision compromises our military’s ability to defend the United States and stand with our allies,” said Congresswoman Mikie Sherrill.

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