Senators Warren and Thompson Urge Investigation into Border Wall Contract Amid Corruption Concerns

Strategic Insights -

U.S. Senators Warren and Representatives Thompson have raised red flags about the recent decision by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to award a $569 million no-bid contract to BFBC, a company backed by a Republican campaign donor, to build a section of President Trump's border wall at an inflated cost. The lawmakers are seeking an investigation into whether the award of the contract subverted federal procurement laws and resulted in taxpayer waste. The move comes as part of a broader pattern of lucrative contracts awarded to Republican donors to build the border wall.

Key Takeaways:

  • The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has awarded a $569 million no-bid contract to BFBC, a company led by a Republican campaign donor, to build a section of President Trump's border wall.
  • The contract price is $33 million per mile of border wall, which is more than 50% higher than the $20 million per-mile average reported in January.
  • This contract is part of a series of lucrative deals awarded to Republican donors to build the border wall, raising concerns about corruption and taxpayer waste.
  • The lawmakers are urging an investigation into whether the award of the contract subverted federal procurement laws and wasted taxpayer funds.
  • Senator Warren has a history of opposing President Trump's border wall, including introducing several bills to recoup funds and redirect them to COVID-19 response.
  • BFBC has received over $1 billion in taxpayer money to build the border wall.
  • The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is also under scrutiny for its previous award of a $400 million contract to Fisher Sand and Gravel (FSG), another company led by a Republican donor.
  • FSG remains under investigation by the DOD Office of the Inspector General.

Statistics:

  • $569 million: the value of the no-bid contract awarded to BFBC.
  • $33 million: the cost per mile of the border wall, according to the contract.
  • $20 million: the average cost per mile of the border wall, as reported in January.
  • $1 billion: the amount of taxpayer money received by BFBC to build the border wall.
  • 50%: the increase in cost per mile of the border wall compared to the average reported in January.
  • $400 million: the value of the contract awarded to FSG in December 2019.

Sources:

  • Letter from Senator Warren and Congressman Thompson to the Acting Inspector General of the Department of Defense.
  • Euclid Infotech Pvt. Ltd. (2020). U.S. Senators Warren and Congressman Thompson seek probe into billions of dollars in COVID-19 relief money potentially going toward border wall construction.
  • Contify.com (2020). U.S. Senators Warren and Congressman Thompson seek probe into billions of dollars in COVID-19 relief money potentially going toward border wall construction.