Black bill proposes crowdfunding to help pay for border wall with Mexico

U.S. Rep. Diane Black, who is stressing her opposition to illegal immigration in campaigning for governor, has proposed in Congress to use crowdfunding to help pay for the border wall proposed by President Donald Trump, reports Fox News. She has also issued a press release on the “Border Wall Trust Fund Act.”

People could donate any amount of money to it, with the funds specifically designated for “whatever it takes to build the wall” — from supplies to salaries. It would be overseen by the Treasury Department, according to Black.

…People could donate any amount of money to it, with the funds specifically designated for “whatever it takes to build the wall” — from supplies to salaries. It would be overseen by the Treasury Department, according to Black.

In an interview with Fox News, Black said while anyone can donate money to the U.S. Treasury now, this trust fund would ensure donations would specifically go toward the construction of the border wall.

“I support President Trump in building the wall. It’s going to take big funds to do that,” Black said, adding that she doesn’t believe Congress has done enough in terms of allocating funding for the wall.

In the interview (video below — it begins with a clip of Trump talking about the wall) Black says that, as chair of the House Budget Committee, she has faced “real frustration” in not being able to provide $25 billion to fund the wall and blames the U.S. Senate for the failure to fund. She added that “my Twitter has been blowing up; the telephones in my offices have been blowing up” with Tennesseans unhappy that wall construction is not financed.

And Black said there’s a precedent since “crowdfunding was actually used for the Washington monument” at the nation’s capitol, which has plaques noting “organizations from all around the country” in place to honor the donors.

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Press release from Black’s congressional office:

Washington, DC – Today, U.S. Congressman Diane Black (R-TN-06) introduced the Border Wall Trust Fund Act, which would create an account at the U.S. Treasury dedicated to holding public donations for the completion of the wall along the United States’ southern border. Congressman Black released the following statement:

“While Democrats block commonsense border security and put illegal immigrants before our families, we are going to put America first. Real immigration reform cannot be achieved without a secure border – President Trump has been clear about this since day one. The most important job of the federal government is the safety and security of the American people, and if citizens in our country wish to contribute to this effort, they absolutely should be given the opportunity. Americans know that President Trump is committed to protecting our nation for future generations, and we are ready to stand with him to build the wall.”

H.R. 5876 allows money deposited in the Border Wall Trust Fund to be used for planning, designing, constructing and maintaining a barrier along the international border between the United States and Mexico. The Border Wall Trust Fund Act is supported by the Federation for American Immigration Reform (FAIR) and NumbersUSA.