U.S. Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks (R-IA) on June 24 led eight Republicans in introducing legislation that would terminate certain contracts related to the construction of the border fence at America’s border with Mexico and transfer unused fencing material to the states along the southwest border.
States then would be permitted to use such materials for the purpose of barrier construction along the international border between the United States and Mexico.
“The Biden administration has shown us that they are not interested in or capable of securing the U.S.-Mexico border and keeping Americans safe,” Rep. Miller-Meeks said. “Every day, we are seeing record-high numbers of illegal crossings, and our law enforcement officers are overwhelmed.”
The Border’s Unused Idle and Lying Dormant Inventory Transfer (BUILD IT) Act, H.R. 8230, would require the federal government to deliver to Arizona, California, New Mexico, and Texas, upon request, any materials associated with the construction of the barrier along the United States and Mexico border that are in the possession of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, the U.S. Department of Defense, or any other federal agency or contractor and vendor, according to the text of the bill. Those states then could use the materials to build the southwest border wall.
“I have visited the border multiple times since coming to Congress and have spoken with law enforcement about the need for increased border security, including building the wall,” said Rep. Miller-Meeks. “We need to cut back wasteful federal spending and secure our border; the BUILD IT Act will do just that.”
Rep. Miller-Meeks sponsored H.R. 8230 with eight original cosponsors, including U.S. Reps. Bill Johnson (R-OH), Peter Meijer (R-MI), and Fred Upton (R-MI). The bill is companion legislation to the same-named S. 4294, introduced on May 24 by bill sponsor U.S. Sen. Joni Ernst (R-IA) and five original cosponsors, including U.S. Sen. Steve Daines (R-MT).
“There is a historic crisis at our southern border under the Biden administration and while the president’s refusal to take proper action has been a disaster, his decision to cancel border barrier projects that were already underway is literally costing taxpayers billions,” Sen. Ernst said. “My legislation, that’s now being introduced in the House by my friend Congresswoman Miller-Meeks, is a simple solution: it puts these already paid for materials to use and helps end this egregious taxpayer-funded waste.”