Trump touts border money in bill despite Congress keeping funding level flat

by Marty Johnson - 12/21/19 3:48 PM ET

President Trump on Saturday celebrated getting additional border wall money in the recently passed budget even though, in reality, Congress kept border wall funding at its current level.

“Last night I was so proud to have signed the largest Defense Bill ever,” Trump tweeted.

“The very vital Space Force was created. New planes, ships, missiles, rockets and equipment of every kind, and all made right here in the USA. Additionally, we got Border Wall (being built) funding. Nice!” he continued.

Last night I was so proud to have signed the largest Defense Bill ever. The very vital Space Force was created. New planes, ships, missiles, rockets and equipment of every kind, and all made right here in the USA. Additionally, we got Border Wall (being built) funding. Nice!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 21, 2019

Trump signed two spending packages Friday that totaled $1.4 trillion and prevented the government from shutting down at midnight.

The defense bill that Trump is referring to is the $738 billion National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), an annual bill that authorizes all the military spending for the next fiscal year.

In his original budget proposal, Trump asked Congress for $5 billion in additional funds for border wall construction.

The president also tweeted about NDAA earlier Friday before he signed it.

I will be signing our 738 Billion Dollar Defense Spending Bill today. It will include 12 weeks Paid Parental Leave, gives our troops a raise, importantly creates the SPACE FORCE, SOUTHERN BORDER WALL FUNDING, repeals “Cadillac Tax” on Health Plans, raises smoking age to 21! BIG!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 20, 2019

Despite Trump’s tweets, Congress denied his request, keeping funding for the border wall steady at $1.37 billion for physical barriers in circumscribed areas.

However, Trump was able to create Space Force, which officially became the sixth branch of the military Friday.

“With my signature today, you will witness the birth of the Space Force, and that will be now officially the sixth branch of the United States Armed Forces,” Trump said at the bill signing ceremony at Joint Base Andrews Friday.

“That is something really incredible. It’s a big moment. That’s a big moment, and we’re all here for it,” he added. “Space, going to be a lot of things happening in space.”

Updated: 3:57 p.m.

Tags 2020 Budget Donald Trump NDAA Space force