On Thursday, U.S. Senator Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), a member of the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs (HSGAC), voted to affirm that President Trump has the authority to secure our southwest border immediately and called to build the wall to end Biden’s era of open borders.
In November 2023, Ernst witnessed firsthand wall materials sitting unused near the border – ironically surrounded by their own fence. At today’s hearing, she pointed out this huge loss for taxpayers. Instead of being used for security, $250 million of paid-for border wall materials were wasted and stored for $160,000 per month before they were auctioned off for pennies on the dollar.
During her questioning, witness Kenneth Cuccinelli, a former senior Department of Homeland Security official, confirmed that the Biden administration’s intentional abandonment of border wall materials was a part of its “open borders policy” and “part of that narrative” that invited illegal immigrants into our homeland. He also mentioned that walls help border patrol manage the flow of illegals, creating efficiency and safety.
“We’re talking about $250 million worth of materials that were purchased. They are paid for, and they could have bolstered our security but instead, we’ve just left them there to waste,” said Senator Ernst.