North Michigan News

House Budget Committee Chairman Jodey Arrington (R-TX) and Budget Committee Oversight Task Force Chair Jack Bergman (R-MI) have called for a reevaluation of the legality of the Biden Administration's withholding of congressionally appropriated funds for southwest border wall construction. In a letter sent to Comptroller General Gene Dodaro of the Government Accountability Office (GAO), the lawmakers expressed concerns about the duration of the fund withholding and the Administration's refusal to respond to requests for more information.

The letter highlights that President Biden issued a Proclamation on his first day in office, January 20, 2021, which resulted in the withholding of congressionally appropriated funds for the border wall construction. The GAO had previously issued an opinion in June 2021, stating that the withholding of these funds was a "programmatic delay" and did not violate the Congressional Budget and Impoundment Control Act of 1974. However, the lawmakers question at what point the GAO would consider such a delay to become unlawful, especially considering that many of these funds have been withheld for over 1,000 days.

The lawmakers also raise concerns about the recent announcement by the Secretary of Homeland Security to waive various environmental laws to restart construction of approximately 20 miles of the border wall in Texas. They argue that this decision further calls into question the legality of the Administration's choice to withhold the funds.

Despite sending multiple letters to the Biden Administration, the House Budget Committee has not received the requested information regarding the fiscal impact of the border policies. This has prompted the Committee to take further action, including the letter to the GAO, as part of their responsibility to assess the Administration's legal authorities to manage federal spending.

The full letter can be found on the House Budget Committee's website.

The concerns raised by Chairman Arrington and Chair Bergman shed light on the ongoing debate surrounding the Biden Administration's border policy. As the issue of immigration continues to be a topic of contention, it is crucial for lawmakers to ensure that proper procedures and legalities are followed in the execution of policy decisions. The reevaluation requested by the lawmakers will provide valuable insight into the legality of the fund withholding and contribute to the ongoing discussion on border security.

The Biden Administration has yet to respond to the letter, but it remains to be seen how this call for reevaluation will impact future decisions regarding the border wall construction and the handling of congressionally appropriated funds. The outcome of this reevaluation could have significant implications for the Administration's approach to border security and immigration policy.

For additional details, please follow this link: https://bergman.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=1147