Welcome to Friday, September 6th, bi-, tri-, and non-partisans...

The Trump administration has begun “deferring” $3.6 billion in military construction projects to fund fencing on the southern border.

Pentagon officials said they’re pulling funding from 127 military construction projects – in 23 states, three U.S. territories, and 19 countries - to help build 175 miles of “wall projects.” The Pentagon estimates that each mile will cost about $20 million.

The cancelled or delayed projects include elementary schools, firing ranges, cyber-operations, and repairing facilities in Puerto Rico damaged by Hurricane Maria.

"To pay for his xenophobic border wall boondoggle, President Trump is about to weaken our national security by stealing billions of dollars from our military," said Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-FL). "The House of Representatives will not backfill any projects he steals from today."

Rep. Mac Thornberry of Texas, the top Republican on the House Armed Services Committee, disagreed. "We continue to face a very real crisis at the southern border," Thornberry said, adding that he “regrets” the president “has been forced to divert funding for our troops to address the crisis."

Do you support diverting funds for border security?

On the Radar

Congress' September Agenda

Congress returns from its summer recess next week facing a September 30th deadline to enact nearly $1.4 trillion in spending for the upcoming fiscal year or risk another partial government shutdown.

But that’s not all that'll be on the congressional docket for the month ahead.

Over here, we have a complete preview of the major items on this month’s agenda. Here's a peek:

Before members of Congress left town for their summer breaks they approved the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2019, which outlined a $1.371 trillion discretionary spending plan for fiscal year 2020. However, the bill only outlined the top-line budget levels which means that Congress will need to approve the spending itself by passing appropriations bills.
The White House is expected to formally send the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) to Congress for approval early this month, triggering the so-called “fast-track” process.

Do you support efforts to enact bipartisan spending bills & trade deals?

Under the Radar

NRA Responds

Earlier this week, Walmart announced it will stop selling ammunition for assault-style rifles and handguns. The retailer also said it plans on asking customers not to openly carry guns, even in states that allow open carry.

The National Rifle Association responded, calling the move "shameful."

"It is shameful to see Walmart succumb to the pressure of the anti-gun elites," the NRA tweeted. "Lines at Walmart will soon be replaced by lines at other retailers who are more supportive of America’s fundamental freedoms...The truth is Walmart’s actions today will not make us any safer.”

Do you support Walmart ending handgun ammunition sales?