Republicans Side With Dems Against Border Wall Funding

Though Republicans will likely kick the can down the road on funding for President Donald Trump's border wall, at some point this issue is going to come to a head — more and more Republicans do not support it.

House leadership is expected to not include the $1.4 billion requested by the White House in the spending bill in order to avoid a government shutdown April 29, since a growing number of Republicans oppose it, The Hill reported.

At issue, especially for border town lawmakers:

• Disruption to communities.
• Diplomatic relations with Mexico.
• And, a concern for the broader group of Republicans, the enormous cost.

Republicans can skirt the issue now by pointing at Democrats and the threat of a shutdown.

But that only buys them time until September when discussions start on a 2018 budget.

"We recognize the need for robust border security and infrastructure to ensure public safety and increase cross border commerce," GOP Reps. Will Hurd (Texas) and Martha McSally (Arizona) wrote recently to top administration officials, The Hill reported. "We also have an obligation to be good stewards of taxpayer dollars."

• Sessions: Trump 'Not Backing Down' on Wall, Border Security
• GOP: Fund Border Wall With Fee on Money Transfers Immigrants Send Home