Gov. Tony Evers announced on Wednesday that he has authorized Attorney General Josh Kaul to have Wisconsin join 18 other states in filing a lawsuit against the federal government to prevent $3.8 billion from going to the southern border wall.
“This diversion by the Trump Administration is a wasteful use of taxpayer dollars and neglects the needs of our state National Guard units,” said Gov. Evers in a statement. “There is simply no justification for the president’s continued desire to create a crisis at the border, and this move negatively impacts not only Wisconsin’s economy, but the safety of our communities.”
In the lawsuit, the coalition argues that the diversion of funds violates the principles of separation of powers, the Presentment Clause, and the Appropriations Clause of the U.S. Constitution by usurping Congress’s appropriation powers.
Other states involved in the lawsuit include Colorado, Connecticut, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Virginia.
“Wisconsin communities will suffer if funds are diverted from family-supporting jobs like those at Oshkosh Defense,” said Attorney General Kaul in a press release. “A strong economy and good-paying jobs are critical to keeping our communities safe and strong.”
