REFERENCE TITLE: border wall; construction materials; repurpose

State of Arizona

House of Representatives

Fifty-fifth Legislature

Second Regular Session

2022

HR 2004

Introduced by

Representatives Blackman: Payne

A RESOLUTION

Supporting federal legislation to transfer federally owned materials to border states to construct a border wall.

(TEXT OF BILL BEGINS ON NEXT PAGE)

Whereas, in 2017, President Donald Trump issued an executive order to secure the southern border of the United States by planning, designing and constructing a physical wall at the southern border using appropriate materials and technology to prevent illegal immigration, drug and human trafficking and acts of terrorism; and

Whereas, in 2019 President Trump went further, declaring a national emergency at the southern border, which diverted billions of dollars in defense funds to build the wall; and

Whereas, the wall has been effective in impeding illegal drug activities, border crossings and other crimes that jeopardize innocent lives in areas where the barriers have been raised; and

Whereas, on January 20, 2021, President Joe Biden terminated the national emergency related to the southern border, including pausing the construction of the wall at the border; and

Whereas, President Biden's proclamation also directed the United States Secretary of Defense and the United States Secretary of Homeland Security to develop a plan to redirect monies concerning the southern border wall; and

Whereas, contracts had already been signed and millions of dollars of materials, including steel, light poles and rebar, have been delivered to the southern border to construct the wall.  These materials have been rusting, unused in the desert heat, requiring even more monies for site maintenance and security; and

Whereas, a plan does not currently exist regarding using the remaining materials; and

Whereas, although the Trump administration completed 455 miles of new barriers along the border, many sections remain unfinished; and

Whereas, border fences are an essential element in stemming illegal cross-border traffic; and

Whereas, a robust strategy is necessary to curtail this reckless misuse of materials; and

Whereas, H.R. 5810, introduced in the United States House of Representatives, allows the United States Army and the Department of Homeland Security to transfer unused materials obtained for the border wall to Arizona, New Mexico and Texas to construct a border wall in each state; and

Whereas, this prudent legislation will ensure that the materials already bought and paid for with taxpayer money will be used to secure the southern border.

Therefore

Be it resolved by the House of Representatives of the State of Arizona:

1. That the Members of the House of Representatives support federal legislation to transfer unused federally owned materials to this state, New Mexico and Texas.

2. That the Members of the House of Representative support using these materials to construct a wall along the southern border.