House Dems Sue Trump Admin Over Its Border Wall Plan

WASHINGTON, DC - JANUARY 25: House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) speaks during a news conference with Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) following an announced end to the partial government shutdown at the U.... WASHINGTON, DC - JANUARY 25: House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) speaks during a news conference with Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) following an announced end to the partial government shutdown at the U.S. Capitol January 25, 2019 in Washington, DC. U.S. President Donald Trump agreed to reopen federal agencies shutdown for the past 4 weeks while negotiations about border security take place between congressional leaders over the next three weeks. (Photo by Zach Gibson/Getty Images) MORE LESS
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WASHINGTON (AP) — House Democrats have filed a lawsuit aimed at preventing President Donald Trump from spending more money than Congress has approved to erect barriers along the southwestern border.

Democrats say Trump’s attempt to transfer billions of dollars from several programs to wall construction violates the Constitution, which gives Congress control over spending. The 45-page complaint was filed Friday in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi calls Trump’s act a “brazen assault” on the Constitution.

Congress approved just under $1.4 billion for work on border barricades. Trump has asserted he can use his powers as chief executive to transfer another $6.7 billion to wall construction.

Attorneys general from 20 states, plus environmental and progressive groups, have filed other lawsuits aimed at blocking the transfers.

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