CHARLESTON – Three Republican members of the House of Delegates plan to introduce a bill to use $10 million of the state's surplus to help build President Trump's planned wall along the southern border of the United States.
Delegates Carl “Robbie” Martin (R-Upshur), Patrick Martin (R-Lewis) and Caleb Hanna (R-Webster) made the announcement Jan. 15. Hanna discussed the plan during a morning appearance on "Fox and Friends."
“West Virginians support our President and the wall,” Carl Martin said. “They’re sick of seeing Washington politicians sit on their hands while drugs and criminals pour over our border. It’s time for the states to stand up and do what they can to support our President in his fight to protect innocent Americans.”
According to estimates, the state currently has a nearly $200 million surplus.
"I believe in President Trump and the wall,” Hanna said. “For me, this is no different than sending our National Guard to the border or overseas to protect U.S. interests.
"We, as a state, have resources available to help make America more secure, and I believe West Virginians would want those resources used to make us more safe.”
The delegates said one of the most pressing issues facing West Virginia right now is the rampant drug problem. They say the problem is fueled in large part by the trafficking of highly potent, illicit drugs across the U.S.-Mexico border.
“We have been in contact with multiple law enforcement officers and judges about the drug epidemic, and every single one has told us 90 percent of the drugs coming to our state are coming in from Mexico,” Carl Martin said.
Patrick Martin agreed.
“This is about our children and our future, and we must do everything in our power to protect them,” he said. “Since the D.C. liberals won’t act on this, we will. And I hope West Virginia serves as an example to other states that it’s time to stand up against inaction in Washington and band together to do what’s right.”
The three delegates say the proposal currently is being drafted and should be formally introduced in the next few days.
