Baltimore Sun: Ruppersberger says Trump is ‘stealing’ money from Maryland projects for the ‘boondoggle’ border wall
Rep. C.A. Dutch Ruppersberger, a Maryland Democrat, said the Trump administration was “stealing” military funding meant for Maryland projects after touring a congested thoroughfare in Fort Meade on Friday afternoon.
Congress appropriated $16 million to widen Cooper Avenue inside the military base from two to four lanes, but now the Trump administration is sending that money to expand a wall on the border with Mexico.
“These projects have a far bigger impact on the security of our nation and the quality of life enjoyed by our troops and their families than a boondoggle wall that Mexico was supposed to finance,” Ruppersberger said.
The road construction is one of three military projects postponed in Maryland after President Donald Trump declared a national emergency at the southern border in February. A child development center and hazardous cargo pad at Joint Base Andrews in Prince George’s County also will be deferred.