WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR) – The Pentagon said on Tuesday it has adjusted its budget to spend $1 billion to begin building the border wall.
The Pentagon says the money will allow for construction of a 57-mile stretch of the wall.
The House of Representatives tried to override President Trump’s veto.
“When those decisions violate the Constitution, that must be stopped,” said Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi.
But the vote fell short and the president’s national emergency declaration to build the border wall will move forward.
Assistant Defense Secretary David Norquist and Acting Secretary Patrick Shanahan say the change will not impact military readiness.
“Given a legal order from the commander in chief, we are executing on that order,” Shanahan said.
Presidential advisor Kellyanne Conway said Congress needs to wake up.
“Obviously that’s a great use of money since I know firsthand that drugs are coming over the border and into our communities,” she said.
The Pentagon said it’s not done yet. It’s still looking for another $2.5 billion for the wall.
“I think the president is moving really fast because he wants to build this wall before the law catches up to him,” said Senator Chris Murphy, D-Connecticut.
While Democrats failed to slow the president’s drive to build the wall with Tuesday’s vote, they say they’ve got two more chances with a court challenge and a vote on next year’s budget in just a few months.