East Idaho Times

U.S. Senators Jim Risch of Idaho and Katie Britt of Alabama have introduced the WALL Act, a legislative proposal aimed at completing the construction of the southern border wall. The bill seeks to address immigration issues without adding to the national debt.

Risch emphasized the urgency of completing the wall, stating, "Now is the time to finish the southern border wall. The WALL Act helps President Trump complete what he started in his first term and does it all without adding a dime to our national debt." He criticized past policies that he believes allowed millions of illegal immigrants to enter the U.S., leading to significant taxpayer expenses.

Britt highlighted the need for a physical barrier as a matter of common sense, saying, "President Donald Trump and the Republican majorities in the House and Senate have not just a mandate but an obligation to secure the border and protect American families." She noted that completing the wall would deter illegal migration by eliminating taxpayer-funded entitlement benefits for illegal aliens.

The proposed legislation allocates $25 billion for finishing the border wall. It aims to fund this by closing loopholes and cutting off entitlements and tax benefits for those illegally residing in the U.S. Additionally, it introduces fines for individuals who enter or overstay their visas unlawfully. According to estimates from 2018 by the Joint Committee on Taxation, these measures could save $33 billion over ten years.

Joining Risch and Britt in introducing this bill are Senators Ted Cruz from Texas, John Barrasso from Wyoming, Mike Rounds from South Dakota, and Roger Wicker from Mississippi.