Reports Trump Wants to Raid Disaster Recovery Funds to Pay for Wall

WASHINGTON, Jan. 10 -- Rep. Bennie Thompson, D-Mississippi, chairman of the House Homeland Security Committee, issued the following statement:

Today, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Chairman of the Committee on Homeland Security, released the following statement on news reports that President Trump would like to use disaster recovery and emergency relief funds to pay for his border wall:

"I call on the President and Homeland Security Secretary to immediately disavow news reports that President Trump plans to raid disaster recovery funds to pay for his absurd border wall.

"Any suggestion that he use these funds to construct his wall is an obscenity. These funds were intended by Congress to be used for real emergencies and to help millions recover from hurricanes and other disasters.

"Under no circumstance are these funds to be used to fund the President's pet project so he can claim a win.

"There is no emergency on the border. If necessary, my colleagues and I will use every available method to stop him in this effort."