Islam Times - Dems trying to prevent Trump from using disaster funds for his wall

Islam Times - Top Democrats in US Senate are introducing legislation aimed at blocking US President Donald Trump’s access to disaster funds in order to build a wall on the southern border.

Several 2020 contenders are among sponsors of the Protecting Disaster Relief Funds Act.

The resolution aims at preventing Trump from funding his signature campaign pledge through money allocated to the Department of Homeland Security, the Department of Housing and Urban Development or the Army Corps of Engineers.

It is backed by Democrats, including Senators Elizabeth Warren, Kamala Harris, and Kirsten Gillibrand as well as Bernie Sanders.

According to a statement announcing the legislation, Harris said that Trump "cannot go around Congress to fund his ridiculous vanity project."

"I'm proud to introduce this bill today to ensure that funds intended for victims of natural disasters do not go towards a wall that Congress won't fund and people on the border don't even want," she added. "This bill will stand up for Congress' power of the purse and help California families affected by recent natural disasters begin the process of recovery."

Funding for the wall has led to a budget impasse and an ongoing dispute over border security.

In order to get the funding, Trump declared a national emergency at the border on Friday in an attempt to circumvent US Congress.