Rand Paul: ‘We don’t have money to spend’ for Trump’s border …
Sen. Rand PaulRandal (Rand) Howard PaulLexington mayor launches bid for Congress Trump-free Kennedy Center Honors avoids politics Meet the Iran hawk who could be Trump's next secretary of State MORE (R-Ky.) said Wednesday that while he supports additional barriers at the U.S.-Mexico border, he believes some of the estimated costs for President TrumpDonald John TrumpHouse Democrat slams Donald Trump Jr. for serious case of amnesia after testimony Skier Lindsey Vonn: I dont want to represent Trump at Olympics Poll: 4 in 10 Republicans think senior Trump advisers had improper dealings with Russia MOREs border wall are too high to justify.
"I remain a fiscal conservative, even on the wall, so Im not excited about spending $20, $30, $40 billion on a wall. Im still a believer that we dont have money to spend. Were $700 billion in the hole, Paul said on CNN.
And while I will vote for money for barriers, Im not voting for $40 billion for barriers, Paul added.
The Trump administration is seeking $33 billion in total to increase southern border security, with the remaining $15 billion going to fund technology, personnel and other improvements.
Another $8.5 billion over seven years would be used to pay for 5,000 new Border Patrol agents.
Paul said Wednesday he supports having barriers in certain locations along the border, but that the price tag of those barriers should be debated. He also advocated for using technology to improve border security, which he argued is a cheaper alternative.
"The barriers, I think we need to look at the cost of them. The people advocating for it are forgetting theyre fiscally conservative and are just giving enormous numbers, Paul added.
Lawmakers met Tuesday to discuss immigration, including border security and the future of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program.
Trump has said funding for the border wall is a requirement forhis agreement on a legislative fix for DACA, which allows certain immigrants brought to the U.S. illegally as children tolive and work in the countrywithout fear of deportation.
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Rand Paul: 'We don't have money to spend' for Trump's border ...