Pentagon Seeks More Information From Homeland Security On Funds For Wall

The Dept. of Defense has asked the Dept. of Homeland Security to provide more data on the use of potential military funds for President Trump's proposed expansion of the border fence on the southern border, reports the Military Times. 

On Feb. 18, the Pentagon requested that DHS identify locations where wall construction would enhance the effectiveness of military forces deployed there, a U.S. official told the newspaper. Such a justification is required to redirect monies that would otherwise go toward projects on local bases.

The priority list, as well as the data used to generate the list would help Acting Defense Secretary Patrick Shanahan to determine what projects to support and which could be postponed, said the official. 

DHS has yet to respond to the request.

President Trump declared a national emergency last week, which allows defense funds to be redirected to build the wall. 

The president seeks to use $3.6 billion from the military construction budget and $2.5 billion from drug interdiction funding for the wall. 

Some have expressed concern that the transfer of funds could postpone plans to expand and renovate military facilities.

Projects that could be affected include a vehicle maintenance shop at Camp Arifjan in Kuwait, repairs to the drydock at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam in Hawaii and F-35 hangar improvements at Luke Air Force Base, Ariz. 

Bases in South Korea, Italy and Wisconsin are also set to receive new housing units.