Trump wall shift erases $8M for Truax Field
September 4, 2019 6:20PM CDT
MADISON, Wis. (AP) — President Donald Trump’s plan to kill or delay hundreds of construction projects on U.S. military bases to help fund border fencing includes diverting money for a Wisconsin Air National Guard base shooting range.
Guard spokesman Joe Trovato confirmed that $8 million earmarked for building a small-arms range at Truax Field in Madison would be diverted to wall funding. Construction had been set to begin next year.
U.S. Rep. Mark Pocan, a Democrat who represents Madison, said that Trump’s diversions will weaken the country’s military readiness. He says the president is desperately trying to steal from congressionally approved funds to live up to a failed campaign promise to build a “pointless” border wall.