GOP Utah Sens. Mike LeeMichael (Mike) Shumway LeeSen. Mike Lee granted visa to Russia after other senators’ requests are denied Hillicon Valley: Instagram seen as top 2020 disinformation target | Facebook to let users opt out of facial recognition on photos | Dozens of states looking at Google antitrust probe | Senate panel to hold hearings on tech mergers Senate antitrust panel to hold hearing on tech mergers MORE and Mitt RomneyWillard (Mitt) Mitt RomneyThe Memo: Democrats struggle to find the strongest swing-state candidate Women voters spell trouble for Trump in 2020 Democrats excluded from debate face battle for survival MORE pushed back on Wednesday after the administration informed them it would be diverting money from Utah-based military projects to help pay for the U.S.-Mexico border wall. 

 

Romney said he was “disappointed” by the decision, noting that he and Lee had voiced “significant concerns” to the administration about pulling money away from military construction projects in Utah. 

 

“Funding the border wall is an important priority, and the Executive Branch should use the appropriate channels in Congress, rather than divert already appropriated funding away from military construction projects and therefore undermining military readiness,” he said. 

 

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Lee added that “Congress has been ceding far too much powers to the executive branch for decades and it is far past time for Congress to restore the proper balance of power between the three branches.”

 

The two GOP senators were informed that a total of $54 million was being taken from Utah projects, with the administration expected to request that the funding be “back filled” in the upcoming fiscal year 2020 appropriations process. 

 

The money being directed from projects in Utah is part of the larger $3.6 billion the administration is shifting from military construction projects to the border wall as part of the emergency declaration Trump declared earlier this year. The Pentagon began notifying lawmakers this week if their district or state would be affected. 

 

The decision has sparked fierce pushback this week, mainly from Democrats who are having money pulled away from home district and state projects. 

 

Sens. Tim KaineTimothy (Tim) Michael KaineBig crowds stir talk of momentum for Warren A lesson of the Trump, Tlaib, Omar, Netanyahu affair Warren’s pledge to avoid first nuclear strike sparks intense pushback MORE (D-Va.) and Mark WarnerMark Robert WarnerReport highlights Instagram, deepfake videos as key disinformation threats in 2020 elections GOP Sen. Johnny Isakson to resign at end of year Senate Democrats warn Trump: Don’t invite Putin to G-7 MORE (D-Va.), whose state has a significant military presence, lashed out at the administration earlier Wednesday after they were informed that roughly $77 million would be taken from military construction projects in their state. 

 

Sen. Dianne FeinsteinDianne Emiel FeinsteinGOP faces new pressure to act on guns Democrats ask Chao to promote airline price competition Congress is letting the administration violate consultation requirements for refugee admissions MORE (D-Calif.) said that the Senate should “immediately pass a resolution of disapproval to block this unconstitutional action” once lawmakers return next week from the August recess.

 

But the GOP reaction has been more muted after Congress failed to override Trump’s veto earlier this year of a resolution to nix his emergency declaration. Senate Minority Leader Charles SchumerCharles (Chuck) Ellis SchumerFEMA chief: Transfer of agency funds for immigration ‘not affecting our preparedness whatsoever’ Pelosi, Schumer call on McConnell to take up background check bill after Texas shooting Schumer seeks vote on bill reaffirming support for democracy in Hong Kong MORE (D-N.Y.) has pledged that Democrats will force another vote on the emergency declaration this fall. 

 

Lee added on Wednesday that the decision to divert military construction funding was the latest example of why Congress should pass his legislation to limit a president’s emergency powers. 

 

Under legislation introduced earlier this year by Lee, emergency declarations would automatically expire after 30 days unless Congress voted to continue them. 

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