Hill Republicans introduce 'Build the Wall Now Act' to start construction within 24 hours

"The Build the Wall Now Act ends this administration's excuses and forces them to restart wall construction immediately," Sen. Budd said.

Fencing fills a gap in the border wall on the Johnson Ranch near Columbus, N.M.

By Madeleine Hubbard

Republicans Sen. Ted Budd and Rep. Jim Banks on Tuesday each introduced the "Build the Wall Now Act" to require construction of the southern border wall to restart within 24 hours.

"This administration is letting construction materials that have already been paid for sit and rot rather than finish building President Trump’s border wall and we are all paying the price," said Banks, of Indiana.

The legislation also would remove all impediments stopping construction and unlock $2.1 billion in unspent funding from the Trump administration, the lawmakers said.

Six Senate Republicans and 14 House Republicans co-sponsored the bill, which was supported by the National Border Patrol Council union, and the conservative groups the Federation for American Immigration Reform, NumbersUSA and Heritage Action for America.

The measure does not appear to have any support from congressional Democrats, but will likely pass in the GOP-controlled House. However, it faces an uphill challenge in the Democrat-controlled Senate.

"The Build the Wall Now Act ends this administration's excuses and forces them to restart wall construction immediately," said Budd, of North Carolina. "It's time for a comprehensive solution to end the [President] Biden Border Crisis, and this bill does just that."