A New Tolerance for Anti-Semitism Read More on Page 20 June 16, 2017 | 22 Sivan 5777
Vol. 14, Iss. 23
www.JewishVoiceNY.com
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Jewish Voice Proposal for Solar Powered Wall to be Considered by White House Self sustaining wall option first revealed earlier this year by the Jewish Voice
President Trump recently told congressional Republicans that he is giving very serious consideration to the construction of a solar powered wall on the US-Mexico border. It would have the ability to sustain itself for the long term as well. Photo Credit: Gleason Partners LLC
By: Fern Sidman
A
t a White House meeting on Tuesday, President Trump told congressional Republicans that his suggestion in terms of construction of the US-Mexico border wall would be to seriously explore the solar paneled option. The WSJ reported that two lawmakers who attended the meeting told them that Trump said the solar panels could off et the exorbitant costs in erecting such a border wall. This can be effectuated by collecting revenue from the sale of solar power that the panels would generate. Tho e funds could be earmarked to assist in offsetting the projected multi-billion dollar cost in construction.
The WSJ has also reported that Trump’s idea for the use of solar panels to build a wall separating the US and Mexico came after the Department of Homeland Security issued a solicitation of proposals a few months ago from engineering fi ms and other construction companies for their blueprints.
Trump said the solar panels could offset the e orbitant costs in erecting such a border wall. Speaking to the Wall Street Journal was House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-CA). Applauding Trump’s
visionary perspective on the construction and fin ncial aspect of the proposed wall, Rep. McCarthy said, “I think it’s innovative. To authorize it and to appropriate it wouldn’t cost as much.� Moreover, it is quite likely that Trump could garner tacit support for a solar paneled wall from those who have stood in staunch opposition to his controversial immigration policies. According to published reports, the use of solar panels and other forms of green energy are popular among those who sharply rebuked Trump for his decision to withdraw US participation in the Paris Climate Accord. As the paper has noted, however, the lion’s share of Democrats in Congress have gone on record in their vehement opposi-
tion to the idea of Trump or anyone else building any form of a border wall between the US and Mexico. Other Republican legislators have also voiced their hopeful optimism about the wall’s future construction. House Majority Whip Steve Scalise (R-LA) said of Trump’s solar proposal: “He’s been looking at a lot of options and this is a new option that he’s been looking at that sounds like its got real promise.� Trump’s main objective for campaigning on this issue is to deter the rapid influx of illegal immigrants and to severely curtail the scourge of drug smuggling that has drastically increased crime statistics, particularly in the nation’s inner cities. Trump had offered repeated assurances to those
who attended his campaign rallies that Mexico would pay for the cost of the projected wall. After the Mexican government publicly balked at the idea of paying for such a wall, Trump then modified his tune and said that the US would lay out the money required to build the massive structure. He added that Mexico would reimburse the US taxpayer for the formidable price tag associated with a grand scale project of this kind. Speculation has abounded that the ultimate cost of the wall could far exceed $20 billion. At this juncture in time, Congress has not appropriated any funding to the Trump wall project. The White
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