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Donald Trump 'will ask US Congress not Mexico to fund his border wall' Donald Trump 'will ask US Congress not Mexico to fund his border wall'
(35 minutes later)
President-elect Donald Trump will ask Congress rather than Mexico to fund a border wall between the country and the US, House Republican officials have claimed. President-elect Donald Trump will ask Congress rather than Mexico to fund a border wall between the country and the US, House Republican officials have claimed. 
The apparent U-turn would be a clear break from the repeated pledge made during his presidential campaign that he would force the US' neighbour country to fund the cost of construction. The apparent U-turn would be a clear break from the repeated pledge made during his presidential campaign that he would force the US' neighbour country to fund the cost of construction. 
It follows a string of similar reversals for the incoming leader. In October, he suggested for the first time that Mexico would reimburse the US for the cost of the wall, and in November, he admitted certain areas would likely be a “fence”. It follows a string of similar reversals for the incoming leader. In October, he suggested for the first time that Mexico would reimburse the US for the cost of the wall, and in November, he admitted certain areas would likely be a “fence”. 
In December, he claimed parts of the wall he pledged to build would not be needed due to "mountains" and "vicious rivers" in some areas. In December, he claimed parts of the wall he pledged to build would not be needed due to "mountains" and "vicious rivers" in some areas. 
House officials told CNN Mr Trump would seek to fund the project through the appropriations process as soon as April. House officials told CNN Mr Trump would seek to fund the project through the appropriations process as soon as April.
12 standard appropriation bills are passed each fiscal year by Congress that cover federal Government spending.  
However, at an estimated cost of  $14 billion (£11 billion), many are concerned by the likely cost of the project to the taxpayer. However, at an estimated cost of  $14 billion (£11 billion), many are concerned by the likely cost of the project to the taxpayer. 
If Mexico refuses to fund the scheme, as it has promised to do, the Republican party would have to add the cost into the spending bill, which needs to pass by 28 April for the Government to stay open. If Mexico refuses to fund the scheme, as it has promised to do, the Republican party would have to add the cost into the spending bill, which needs to pass by 28 April for the Government to stay open. 
However, doing so would likely provoke opposition from Senate Democrats and possibly cause a Government shutdown. However, doing so would likely provoke opposition from Senate Democrats and possibly cause a Government shutdown. 
Republican leaders, with Mr Trump’s transition team, are reportedly considering using a 2006 law signed by former President George W Bush, which allowed for over 700 miles of “physical barrier” to be built on the southern border, according to Politico. Republican leaders, with Mr Trump’s transition team, are reportedly considering using a 2006 law signed by former President George W Bush, which allowed for over 700 miles of “physical barrier” to be built on the southern border, according to Politico. 
However, GOP sources claimed no decisions had been made. However, GOP sources claimed no decisions had been made. 
House Majority Whip Rep Steve Scalise of Louisiana said the details of a plan were still being finalised. House Majority Whip Rep Steve Scalise of Louisiana said the details of a plan were still being finalised. 
"We want President Trump to have all the tools he needs to build the wall," he told CNN.  "We want President Trump to have all the tools he needs to build the wall," he told CNN.  
"We're in talks with him on the details of it as they're still putting together their team. We still got a few months before there's another funding bill that's going to move. We're going to work with him to make sure we can get it done. We want to build a wall. He wants to build a wall.""We're in talks with him on the details of it as they're still putting together their team. We still got a few months before there's another funding bill that's going to move. We're going to work with him to make sure we can get it done. We want to build a wall. He wants to build a wall."