The president said Tuesday that the border wall would pay for itself by stopping drugs and illegal immigrants from entering the nation, and urged lawmakers to “get it done.”
“Could somebody please explain to the Democrats (we need their votes) that our Country losses 250 Billion Dollars a year on illegal immigration, not including the terrible drug flow. Top Border Security, including a Wall, is $25 Billion. Pays for itself in two months. Get it done!” Trump tweeted Tuesday.
Could somebody please explain to the Democrats (we need their votes) that our Country losses 250 Billion Dollars a year on illegal immigration, not including the terrible drug flow. Top Border Security, including a Wall, is $25 Billion. Pays for itself in two months. Get it done!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 4, 2018
The president is asking Congress to approve $5 billion in border wall funding before both chambers head home for Christmas. But Senate Democrats are unwilling to give the president any more than $1.6 billion for the border wall, raising fears of a possible partial government shutdown if no agreement is reached.
Trump has long argued that the border wall would pay for itself, either by having the Mexican government pay directly, or through stopping the flow of illegal immigration and drugs at the border. On Monday, the president warned that if Democrats did not get behind his request for $5 billion, he would shut down the southern U.S.-Mexico border.
“We would save Billions of Dollars if the Democrats would give us the votes to build the Wall,” Trump tweeted Monday. “Either way, people will NOT be allowed into our Country illegally! We will close the entire Southern Border if necessary. Also, STOP THE DRUGS!”
House and Senate lawmakers are set to approve a two-week, temporary extension of federal funding to keep the government opened through Dec. 21. The continuing resolution would give both parties more time to come to an agreement on border wall funding, but the prospects for a deal that Trump would find favorable look slim.
