John Barrasso introduced an amendment to allow unspent COVID-19 funds to be used to build the southern border wall. (Getty Images)
Titled, The Build the Wall Act of 2024, the measure would create a "Southern Border Wall Construction Fund" and instruct the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to use unobligated funds that were initially authorized for pandemic recovery.
"Border walls work. Before President Biden came into office, we were well on our way to a secure and safe southern border. But on his first day in office, the president and Democrats rolled out the welcome mat for millions of illegal immigrants to come into our nation," Barrasso said in a statement.
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"We must hold Democrats accountable for their open border policies that have created the worst border crisis in our nation’s history. If they are serious about securing our border, they should have no issues voting for a policy that actually works and is already paid for," he continued.
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Immigration has grown in importance among voters. (James Breeden for New York Post / Mega)
Barrasso's proposal to use unspent COVID-19 relief money for the wall comes after Republicans criticized the Department of Treasury's latest guidance on the COVID-19 State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds (SLFRF) granted in President Biden's much touted American Rescue Plan (ARP).
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A nurse fills a syringe with the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine. ((AP Photo/Mary Altaffer, File) )
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In March, the department changed its guidance in regard to the unspent COVID-19 relief funds, stating "that qualifying recipients can use remaining funds on a broad range of uses to fund affordable housing serving very low-income families."
Republicans sought to prevent the change last week, but were blocked in the Senate by Democrats in a party-line vote.
Julia Johnson is a politics writer for Fox News Digital and Fox Business, leading coverage of the U.S. Senate. She was previously a politics reporter at the Washington Examiner.
Follow Julia's reporting on X at @JuliaaJohnson_ and send tips to Julia.Johnson@fox.com.
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