Following reports that the Donald Trump team’s current plan for building a border wall relies on Congress to appropriate federal funds to pay for the wall, Trump lashed out against the media and insisted that Mexico would pay eventually.
The dishonest media does not report that any money spent on building the Great Wall (for sake of speed), will be paid back by Mexico later!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 6, 2017
Under Trump’s current plan for building a border wall, Congress will use existing legislation authorizing border fences to appropriate funds for additional building along the border, according to the Associated Press. Congress would not pass a new bill authorizing a wall.
Trump surrogate Rep. Chris Collins (R-NY) also told CNN Friday morning that Trump will negotiate reimbursement with Mexico.
“When you understand that Mexico’s economy is dependent upon US consumers, Donald Trump has all the cards he needs to play,” Collins said. “On the trade negotiation side, I don’t think it’s that difficult for Donald Trump to convince Mexico that it’s in their best interest to reimburse us for building the wall.”