Sen. Scott Says Congress Must Approve DOD Funding for Wall

President Donald Trump can "send signals" to Defense Secretary James Mattis to use U.S. military funding for border security, and potentially the wall, but it would ultimately require "an act of Congress" to approve it, Sen. Tim Scott, R-S.C., said Sunday.

"I think it would take an act of Congress to make sure that we prioritize and appropriate the dollars for that objective," Scott told CBS's "Face the Nation." "The reality of it is, as commander in chief, he can certainly send signals through Secretary Mattis to have a conversation with Congress about where those dollars should be spent."

Scott, a member of Senate Armed Services Committee, would have a stake in approving Department of Defense (DOD) funding for the U.S. border wall.

"The unfortunate reality is that the priorities of the DOD have already been set," Scott told Margaret Brennan, before adding it might make some sense to bolster border security for the sake of national security.

"However, our southern border is very porous. The truth is that more folks came through our southern border that did not come from Mexico. So, it is certainly a national security issue."

Scott said Congress "absolutely" should weigh in on reappropriationment of DOD funds for wall construction, because "you should not expect that from the president."

"I think [Department of] Homeland [Security], so far, is a place that we should find the resources for building the wall, not necessarily the DOD," Scott continued. "But I'll see what comes before my committee to make sure that we have enough information to make a decision."

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