U.S. President Donald Trump's 2020 budget request includes $8.6 billion for border wall construction, a move that risks renewed legislative conflict with Congress over funding and constitutional authority.
The proposal, announced by White House economic adviser Larry Kudlow, exceeds the $5.7 billion Trump sought in 2019, which triggered a 35-day government shutdown—the longest in U.S. history. Democratic leaders Nancy Pelosi and Chuck Schumer condemned the request, vowing to block it and warning of another legislative defeat for the administration.
Kudlow acknowledged the funding request would face opposition but emphasized Trump's commitment to border security. "He is going to stay with his wall. He is going to stay with his border security. I think it's essential," he said on Fox News Sunday.
The plan allocates $5 billion through the Homeland Security Department and $3.6 billion from the Pentagon, in addition to $6.7 billion redirected from other programs under a national emergency declaration. That emergency order, issued after Congress approved only $1.375 billion for 55 miles of barriers in Texas, drew sharp criticism from Democrats and some Republicans who called it an unconstitutional overreach.
The Democratic-controlled House voted to nullify the emergency declaration, with Senate Republicans facing pressure to join the effort. At least four GOP senators plan to oppose the measure, potentially enabling a veto override. However, Senate Republican John Barrasso predicted the veto would survive, requiring a two-thirds majority in both chambers to overturn.
